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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f57f44 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,13 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text +*.htm text +*.html text +*.png binary +*.jpg binary +*.svg text +*.pdf binary +*.bmp binary +*.zip binary +*.midi binary +*.mp3 binary diff --git a/78891-0.txt b/78891-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c944ff --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14225 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78891 *** + + + + +FURTHER MEMOIRS OF THE WHIG PARTY + +1807-1821 + + + + +[Illustration: _Henry Richard, 3rd Lord Holland_ + +_C. R. Leslie, Pinx._ + +_Emery Walker Ph. Sc._] + + + + + FURTHER MEMOIRS OF + THE WHIG PARTY 1807-1821 + WITH SOME MISCELLANEOUS + REMINISCENCES + + BY HENRY RICHARD VASSALL + THIRD LORD HOLLAND + + EDITED BY LORD STAVORDALE + + WITH PORTRAITS + + LONDON + JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET + 1905 + + PRINTED BY + HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD + LONDON AND AYLESBURY. + + + + +PREFACE + + + _Hoc libro habes, ne sperne, quod restat mei._ + +With these words, written on the bottom of one of the boxes containing +the MSS., Lord Holland bequeaths to posterity this Memoir of his times. +Whatever may be the verdict of those who peruse these pages and that +portion of the work which has already been published, it is at least +desirable that this expression of Lord Holland’s political feelings and +actions should be placed in the hands of the public. The Memoirs were +written expressly for publication, and it is a pressing duty towards him +to rescue the result of his labours from the dusty shelves where they +have long lain unheeded and forgotten. + +Fifty years have now elapsed since the appearance of the last published +volume of the work which these pages will complete. About ten years after +his father’s death, Henry Edward, fourth and last Lord Holland, took in +hand the publication of the Memoirs. The _Foreign Reminiscences_ appeared +in 1851, the first volume of the _Memoirs of the Whig Party_ in 1852, and +the second volume in 1854. It is impossible to explain why Lord Holland +paused before the completion of his task. Possibly at a future date some +document among the wealth of letters stored at Holland House may throw +light on what is at present shrouded in mystery. The point, however, is +of slight importance; and in all probability the state of Lord Holland’s +health during the last few years of his life (for he died in 1859) will +amply account for the postponement of the undertaking. + +The four books or chapters under consideration deal with the period of +English history between 1807 and 1821—years fraught with interest for +the student and lover of history. Full details are given of the Prince +Regent’s negotiations with the Whigs in 1809 and 1812, and a rapid sketch +of the principal events and incidents of the last decade of George III.’s +reign. Lord Holland, however, distinctly states that the aim and object +of his labours were to record any incidents, anecdotes, or intrigues +which were not generally known at the time, and which were unlikely to be +found in the recognised histories, periodicals, or journals. + +With these political notes we have incorporated a chapter called by the +author his “Miscellaneous Reminiscences,” a series of anecdotes and +recollections of the various literary celebrities and scientists of note +with whom he had chanced to become acquainted. + +No one was better qualified than Lord Holland to relate the political +occurrences of these fifteen years. He was recognised as one of the +prominent leaders of the party after his uncle Charles James Fox’s death; +and by his intimate connection with him was brought in contact with many +persons of note, who were finishing their destined span of life when he +had barely entered the age of manhood. + +Henry Richard, third Lord Holland, was born in 1773 at Winterslow, near +Salisbury. Before he was two months old, he narrowly escaped death in +the burning of the house, and was only snatched from the fire by the +heroism of his mother. His father, Stephen Fox, eldest son of Henry Fox, +the Paymaster, who was raised to the peerage in 1763 and died in 1774, +lived but six months after his accession to the title. His mother, who +was a daughter of John, first Earl of Upper Ossory, and Evelyn, daughter +of John, Earl Gower, survived her husband by four years. The boy was left +to the care of his uncles, Lord Upper Ossory and Charles James Fox, and +was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. On leaving the University +in 1792, he went abroad, and was absent from England, with the exception +of two or three fleeting visits, until 1796. Part of those years were +spent in Spain, and from this period dates his love of the literature +and art of that country of romance, and his interest in the political +condition of its people. Lord Holland passed the greater portion of the +remainder of those years in France and Italy. While travelling in the +latter country with his friend Lord Wycombe (afterwards second Lord +Lansdowne) in 1795, he met Elizabeth, Lady Webster, wife of Sir Godfrey +Webster, of Battle Abbey, in Sussex. The chance meeting was destined to +alter the whole course of their lives. They became deeply attached to one +another, and after many months spent in various parts of the Continent, +returned to England together in 1796. Sir Godfrey obtained a divorce in +July, 1797, and Lord Holland married her two days later. One son was +born before the marriage, afterwards known as General Charles Fox and +the husband of Lady Mary FitzClarence, daughter of William IV. and Mrs. +Jordan. + +Lady Holland, who was a daughter of Richard Vassall and Mary, daughter of +Thomas Clark, of New York, who afterwards became Lady Affleck, succeeded +to large properties in Jamaica after the death of her father in 1795. The +greater portion of her income was made over to Sir Godfrey Webster at the +time of her divorce. On his death in 1800, Lady Holland regained her own, +and she and Lord Holland then took the additional name of Vassall. + +Lord Holland’s political career commenced in 1798 with his speech in the +House of Lords on the Assessed Taxes Bill, on which occasion he showed +himself a worthy representative of his family. It was not long before +he was recognised as the authorised exponent of his uncle’s policy in +the House of Lords. He could not, however, at once shake off his love of +travel, which was shared by his wife. They were abroad for some months in +1800, and passed through France, although the two countries were still at +war. After the Peace of Amiens, the Hollands again visited Paris, where +they were joined by Mr. Fox. They were then received in audience by the +First Consul. Indeed, the only times Lord Holland ever saw the great man, +whose prowess and understanding he so revered, were during this stay in +Paris. From thence the Hollands went on to Spain, and did not return to +England till 1805. + +Lord Holland received no office in Lord Grenville’s Administration +until after the death of his uncle. He then entered the Cabinet as Lord +Privy Seal; but his tenure of the post was of short duration, as the +Tory party returned to office early in 1807. For the next twenty-three +years he remained in Opposition, and took a leading part in the counsels +of the party during that period. In 1830 Lord Grey formed a Ministry, +in which Lord Holland accepted the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of +Lancaster, with a seat in the Cabinet. This he retained until his death +in 1840, with the exception of the short interval in 1834-35, when his +party were out of office. He was buried at Millbrook, in Bedfordshire, +near Ampthill, which had been bequeathed to him by Lord Upper Ossory on +his death in 1818. He left besides General Charles Fox, one son, Henry +Edward, who succeeded to the title, and one daughter, Mary, who married +Lord Lilford and died in 1891. Lady Holland survived him and died in 1845. + +For some years before his death Lord Holland’s health was a source of +much anxiety to his friends. Constant attacks of gout had sapped his +strength, and he became, at times, little more than a cripple. These +afflictions, however, had no power to cloud his natural good-humour, or +subdue that buoyancy of spirits which made his society so sought after +by his acquaintances. His classical education, his fund of universal +knowledge, his retentive memory, and store of anecdotes, all combined to +increase the inimitable charm of his conversation. It would be impossible +in a few words to do justice to that noble character, beloved by all with +whom he came in contact. It would be easy to descant on his good nature +and benevolence, the simplicity and happiness of his domestic life, his +artistic and literary tastes, and his desire to alleviate the sufferings +of his fellow creatures. But it is rather to his political views and +surroundings that we must devote our short remaining space. + +Lord Holland held an intermediate position between the Ultra-Whig or +Radical section of the party, and the more moderate portion—the followers +of Lord Grenville—whose sentiments differed but little from the avowed +policy of many individual members of the Tory Government. He was +unwilling to go the length desired by the extremists, whose ideal was the +French Revolution and the changes consequent on it. Possibly had he seen +a way to effect a sweeping alteration in the forms of British government +by a gradual and orderly process, he would have countenanced the change +from regal power to a constitution based on democratic principles. +Certainly the word Monarchy was no fetish in his eyes, and his dislike to +that recognised form of government was increased by the refusal of George +III. and his successor to deal with the Roman Catholic question. But any +form of excess was to him a thing unspeakable, and, as every important +revolutionary movement in his time was attended by an outbreak of popular +frenzy, his sentiments of humanity overcame the desire for fundamental +change. + +In truth, the aim and object of Lord Holland’s political career was +universal toleration, combined with a recognition of the legitimate +rights of mankind. His unwavering support was consistently given to +every motion which tended to relieve the oppressed and assist the +persecuted. The Abolition of the Slave Trade, Improvements of the Penal +Code, Religious Toleration, and Catholic Emancipation were each one step +further towards the attainment of his ends. + +His efforts in the House of Lords were seldom crowned with the success +they deserved. The Whig peers were but few in number, and their +divergent views on the great questions of the day rendered any combined +action difficult. Lord Holland held very strong views on the duties of +any public character, and was, in consequence, led to take action on +occasions when he knew that no effective result could be obtained. In +speeches and protests in the Journals of the House he strove to place +on record the principles of the party, and to impress on his friends +the necessity of further exertions at some future and more appropriate +moment. His speeches were replete with valuable information, and form +important evidence of the varied resources of his mind. His arguments +were clear and weighty; his reasoning relevant and sound. If his delivery +was halting, and his diction at times somewhat confused, it was from +wealth, not from poverty, of words and matter that he suffered. Lord +Brougham tells us that on occasions his speeches reached nearly to the +level of his uncle’s in excellence. Certainly, like Mr. Fox, he shone as +a debater; and this is not the less remarkable from the fact that he had +never received the assistance and training of the House of Commons to +develop his powers. + +The Memoir was written to serve as a record of the internal history of +the Whig party, and as such Lord Holland stated his case from a Whig +point of view. Political feeling at the beginning of the nineteenth +century was far more virulent than in the present day. The line between +the opposing parties was much more strictly drawn: and it was but a few +years before that the relations between the leaders of each side were +limited to invectives hurled across the table of the House of Commons. +Lord Holland tells us that this state of things was undergoing a gradual +alteration in his time, and mentions “the difference which a change in +the habits of society has insensibly wrought in political parties.” As a +politician he viewed this change with no very favourable eye, for he goes +on to say: “The comparative disuse of men dinners, improving no doubt the +intercourse of private life, has nevertheless very sensibly impaired the +strength and union of party zeal and connection.” + +The narrative compares very closely with other memoirs and histories +of the time. More especially is the resemblance noticeable in the +recently published _Creevey Papers_, for both are written from the same +standpoint. The history of the negotiations of 1809 and 1812, and the +dissensions which later arose in the Whig Party, are but two instances +of particulars which correspond almost exactly in each account. In a +few unimportant cases the author’s memory has played him false, and +these errors we have attempted to point out in our footnotes. But in +all essential facts the relation is strictly in agreement with the +established and recognised authorities on the period. Though written +some years after the transactions referred to, most of the substance is +collated from extensive notes, and if the authority is obscure or ground +of reference uncertain, that doubt is definitely stated. Lord Holland, +in a note to the earlier volumes of the work, lays great stress on the +mention of the exact date at which each special passage was written, +as tending to assist the elucidation of historical truths, and we have +therefore been careful to retain these at the commencement of each +chapter. + +In dealing with the characters of individual statesmen and celebrities +of the day, Lord Holland has in a few cases been led by his personal +feelings to depart from his customary sense of justice. The chief +sufferer in this respect is the Duke of Wellington, whose policy and +actions are held up to opprobrium, often on scanty and insufficient +grounds. His worst offence in Lord Holland’s eyes seems to have been his +conduct in Paris, and his failure to save Ney from execution; and from +that time the favourable opinion of him formed in the Peninsular War +makes way for a deepening mistrust of his ulterior motives. Similarly his +conception of George III.’s disposition and mental qualities is deeply +coloured with the Whig prejudice; while the Regent obtains scant mercy at +his hands, after his repudiation of his obligations to the party. In most +instances, however, Lord Holland attempts to provide for his readers a +fair and unbiassed estimate of the characters he delineates. In dealing +with several of his political connections he finds himself obliged to +pass censure on their aims and on incidents connected with their careers; +but he does so with obvious reluctance, and tells us in Sheridan’s case +that he has done so, “from an apprehension that the false glitter thrown +over the darker shades of his portrait might injure the truth of the more +general picture of public men.” + +The Memoir has been published as it stands, with the exception of two or +three short passages and notes, which were considered unnecessary. Two +long letters dealing with the negotiations of 1812 have been omitted, +as they are already published in the _Annual Register_ for that year. +An interesting conversation dealing with the _Junius_ controversy has +been added to the Appendix; for though no reference is made to the +subject in the text, the paper was placed among the other manuscripts. +Lord Holland’s intentions were to extend his narrative over the period +of the Whig return to power in 1830; but death cut short his labours +and even prevented a revision of portions of the Memoir. The text is, +therefore, occasionally somewhat confused, and words that have been +inserted to supply the sense will be found in square [] brackets. These +have also been used for the editorial notes to distinguish them from +Lord Holland’s, which are signed with the initial letters of his usual +signature, _Vassall Holland_. + +At the commencement of each chapter has been placed a short sketch of +the history of the period in question. These are intended solely for the +use of readers who desire to be reminded of the outlines of events in +England and on the Continent during those years. To understand certain +portions of the narrative a clear and accurate knowledge of the times is +needed, for it was written and intended for many whose own memories would +carry them back to the days in which the events took place. Lapse of time +has altered these conditions, and has rendered notes and explanatory +paragraphs desirable, which were unnecessary when the earlier portions of +the work were published. + + STAVORDALE. + +_May, 1905._ + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + + INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE FIRST 1 + + BOOK THE FIRST (1807-1810) 8 + + INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE SECOND 67 + + BOOK THE SECOND (1810 TO JUNE, 1812) 71 + + INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE THIRD 151 + + BOOK THE THIRD (1812-1815) 157 + + INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE FOURTH 203 + + BOOK THE FOURTH (1815-1821) 210 + + MISCELLANEOUS RECOLLECTIONS (A SUPPLEMENTARY + CHAPTER BEGUN IN 1826) 307 + + APPENDIX A: LORD STRANGFORD’S DISPATCH 393 + + APPENDIX B: THE PRINCE REGENT’S VIEWS ON THE + ROMAN CATHOLIC QUESTION 396 + + APPENDIX C: LORD HOLLAND TO LORD GREY 400 + + APPENDIX D: JUNIUS LETTERS 404 + + INDEX 407 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + HENRY RICHARD, THIRD LORD HOLLAND _Frontispiece_ + By _Leslie_, Holland House. + + PAGE + + FRANCIS HORNER 46 + By _Sir Henry Raeburn_, National Portrait + Gallery. + + PETER, SEVENTH LORD KING 104 + By _Hoppner_, Holland House. + + CHARLES, SECOND EARL GREY, 1811 138 + By _T. Phillips_, Holland House. + + PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES 200 + By _Sir T. Lawrence_, Abbotsbury Castle. + Given by the Prince Regent to Maria, + Countess Ilchester. + + CHARLES, THIRD LORD STANHOPE 246 + By _Opie_, Holland House. + + SIR SAMUEL ROMILLY 262 + By _Hoppner_, Holland House. + + JOHN HOOKHAM FRERE 316 + By _Sir M. Archer Shee_, Holland House. + + + + +LORD HOLLAND’S MEMOIRS OF THE WHIG PARTY + + + + +INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE FIRST + + +The second volume of Lord Holland’s Memoirs, published in 1854, brings +his account of the fortunes of the Whig party down to the autumn of +1807. That year had witnessed the resignation of the Ministry “of all +the talents,” after barely a year in office. George III.’s hostility to +his Ministers throughout the period was patent to all observers; and he +was nothing loth to accelerate their downfall on the question of Roman +Catholic relief—a rock which had caused the wreck of other combinations +in past years. Lord Holland, who took the office of Lord Privy Seal after +Mr. Fox’s death, fully relates the circumstances of their dismissal and +the consequent General Election. The Tory party was re-established in +office under the leadership of the Duke of Portland; but his colleagues +were for the most part men of moderate and slender abilities, and their +views on many of the burning questions of the day showed a lack of +unanimity which foreboded ill for the success of the Administration. +Yet such is the uncertainty of political forecasts that the chief +figures in this Cabinet were able to hold their own for the next twenty +years, notwithstanding the strenuous and repeated efforts of the Whigs +to supersede them. Lord Holland goes on to mention the election of Mr. +George Ponsonby to the leadership of the Opposition in the House of +Commons, and gives a short account of the chief incidents of the ensuing +Session of Parliament. + +On the Continent Napoleon was rapidly rising to the zenith of his power. +The campaign of 1806 had crushed the Prussian armies, and that country +lay at the mercy of the conqueror. The Berlin Decree had struck what he +hoped was a death-blow to the commerce of England. Austria was neutral; +and the French victories at Eylau and Friedland had indisposed Russia to +continue the struggle single-handed. It is true that the King of Prussia +and the Czar had only that year concluded a treaty pledging themselves +to carry on the war, but the latter was secretly wavering, and was, +besides, greatly incensed at the attitude of the English Government. +On the accession of the Whigs to power, the recognised Tory policy of +subsidies to the Allied Powers and the loan of troops was discontinued, +and a system of small expeditions, such as those to the Dardanelles and +Buenos Ayres, resorted to. Alexander, unable to comprehend the change of +front occasioned by the system of party politics in England, looked on +this reversal of pledges given to him as a personal slight, and was not +to be reconciled by renewed promises of assistance in 1807. A meeting +was arranged between him and Napoleon at Tilsit, which resulted in the +conclusion of a treaty of peace between France, Russia, and Prussia, and +the formation of a secret alliance against Great Britain. + +Early intelligence of the secret clauses of the treaty and the storm +which was likely to break over Great Britain reached Canning, the Foreign +Secretary, and drastic measures were at once resolved upon to meet the +crisis. Napoleon had excluded English commerce from every Continental +port, and it seemed probable that he would also make use of every vessel +of war in them to further his schemes. Under these circumstances the +English Cabinet resolved to obtain possession of any foreign fleets which +it was possible to lay hands on, and thus diminish the number of ships +which might be added to the fleets of France. In accordance with this +policy an expedition was despatched against Copenhagen; the town was +bombarded, the Danish fleet taken into English custody, and the Russian +fleet denied access to the open sea by an English force stationed at the +mouth of the Baltic. The same considerations gave rise to the expedition +to Cadiz, where lay the remains of the Spanish and French fleet defeated +at Trafalgar; and that to Lisbon. Portugal had nominally declared war +against Great Britain in 1807 at the bidding of Napoleon; but the latter +soon threw off the mask of friendship, and ordered Junot to invade and +subjugate the country. The House of Braganza thereupon decided to embark +in their fleet for Brazil, and carried out this determination, leaving +Lisbon in the hands of the French. + +The covetous eye of the Emperor had been cast on Spain, and that country, +not Portugal, was the real object of his machinations. By a trick he +obtained possession of the persons of Charles IV. and Ferdinand his son, +who had become King by the abdication of his father in March, 1808. +They were forced to resign their right to the throne of Spain, and in +June of the same year Joseph Bonaparte was proclaimed King. In the +meanwhile the Spanish people rose in arms against the French, and the +whole country was in a seething state of uproar. Delegates were sent +from the various provinces to England, asking for assistance against the +invader. This request was granted, and an expedition was despatched to +the coast of Portugal. Junot was forced to evacuate that country by the +terms of the Convention of Cintra; but the British operations in Spain +were not attended with the same success. Sir John Moore, misled by false +information, attempted to advance on Madrid, but found himself confronted +by Napoleon himself, who had recently met and defeated the Spanish armies +in detail. Immediate retreat became a necessity, and the campaign closed +with Moore’s death at Coruña and the successful re-embarkation of his +troops. + +The Emperor was unable to remain in Spain long enough to see the result +of his handiwork; rumours of hostile preparations on the part of Austria +caused him to return hurriedly to Paris. The truth was, that the checks +experienced by the French at the hands of the Spanish troops had inspired +fresh courage in the breasts of Austrian and Prussian statesmen, who +began to perceive that the development of a national and patriotic spirit +might be used with more success against the dreaded legions of France +than intrigues and coalitions of Cabinets. Prussia made an abortive +attempt to assert her independence, but it was rudely repressed, and +Austria was left alone in her fight for freedom. War broke out in April, +1809; but though the Archduke Charles managed to defeat the French at +Aspern, his immense losses minimised the result of his victory, and the +hard-fought battle of Wagram two months later left the Austrian armies +incapable of continuing the struggle. Reluctantly the Court of Vienna +consented to a treaty of peace, which deprived the country of fifty +thousand square miles of territory. + +Two expeditions were despatched from England in 1809: one to Sicily +under Sir John Stewart, which met with no permanent success; the other +to Walcheren and the mouth of the Scheldt. The ulterior object of the +latter enterprise was the destruction of the French fleet then building +at Antwerp, and the conception that of Lord Castlereagh, the War +Minister. Had the Cabinet sanctioned its despatch early in the year, when +Napoleon’s fortunes were for the moment at a low ebb, it is probable +that all would have been well. As it was, a bold and expeditious line of +action would probably have accomplished all that was desired; but, on the +contrary, sloth and inaction prevailed and doomed to complete failure the +largest and most costly expedition which had ever, up to that period, +left the shores of Great Britain. + +The unpopularity of Lord Castlereagh with the public was increased by the +ill-success of his scheme; and he discovered about the same time that +his dismissal from office had been for some time determined on by his +colleagues in the Cabinet headed by Canning. Believing that the latter +was prompted by a desire for self-advancement, Castlereagh challenged +him to a duel, and shot him through the thigh. Both Ministers resigned, +and in the subsequent readjustment of places, Mr. Perceval became Prime +Minister, with Lord Wellesley as Foreign Secretary and Lord Liverpool as +Secretary for War. + +Public opinion had been greatly excited early in the year by the +accusations brought against the Duke of York of selling commissions in +the Army through the instrumentality of his mistress, Mrs. Clarke. An +investigation of the charge took place in the House of Commons, and it +was proved that the Duke had no guilty knowledge of the proceedings. He +thought right, however, to resign his office of Commander-in-Chief, which +was given to Sir David Dundas. + +Sir Arthur Wellesley, who had been appointed to the supreme command in +Portugal, invaded Spain in June, and advanced on Madrid. He received no +information of Soult’s presence on his flank; and though he signally +defeated Marshal Victor at Talavera, was unable to maintain his position, +and was forced to retreat on Portugal. During the winter he employed his +time in forming the ring of fortifications round Lisbon known as the +Lines of Torres Vedras, with the intention of retiring thither in case +of necessity, after devastating the country and denying to the enemy +any possibility of obtaining local supplies. Complete success attended +his designs; and when Massena, who had arrived in Spain covered with +glory won at the battles of Aspern and Wagram, followed the British +into Portugal, he found it impossible to maintain his troops there, and +retired from the country. + +Napoleon found time after the Treaty of Vienna to turn his attention to +more personal matters than the subjugation of nations. He divorced his +wife, Josephine, and with the assistance of Metternich, the new Austrian +Minister, prevailed on the Emperor Francis to give him his daughter, +Marie Louise, in marriage. Austria was thus for some years bound to his +cause; but Alexander, on the other hand, fell away and dissolved his +connection with the Continental System. The Emperor continued his policy +of the aggrandisement of France during 1810 by the annexation of the +Papal States and Holland, and his dominion then reached its widest bounds. + + + + +BOOK THE FIRST + +1807-1810 + +N.B.—Copied in 1824. Written between December, 1817, and December, 1818. + + +In the latter end of the Session of 1808 the public attention was +diverted from domestic occurrences, and indeed from Parliament itself, to +events on the Peninsula of Spain. They changed the aspect of affairs both +at home and abroad, and led ultimately to those extraordinary revolutions +by which the next seven years were distinguished. These notes are devoted +to English politics, and however some documents and recollections within +my reach might illustrate the history of Spain during that period, it +is my intention to confine myself _here_ to such occurrences as have +immediate reference to our domestic parties. Some account, however, of +the campaigns on the Peninsula is necessary, to explain the state of +parties in England and the character and circumstances of those who took +a part in them. + +I have not hitherto adverted to the emigration of the Court of Lisbon +to the Brazils, though it took place in November, 1807, and was much +connected with English politics.[1] It was in truth so interwoven with +the state in which our armies found that part of the Peninsula, that in +relating the ensuing campaign I must have fallen into some repetition. +The Portuguese Minister, the Chevalier d’Aranjo (who was all along +suspected of promoting the designs of the French, and was certainly in +secret correspondence with them, though possibly, and indeed probably, +with the somewhat less criminal design of deceiving them), always assured +me that the Prince Regent of Portugal would, as he was in policy bound +to do, submit to almost anything to avoid a French invasion; but that +whenever he despaired of averting that calamity, he would throw himself +into the arms of the English, and emigrate to Rio Janeiro with all his +family and Court, rather than hold a nominal and precarious authority +under a French garrison in his own dominions. This previous view of the +subject, not Lord Strangford’s[2] negotiations, induced him to resort to +that measure; and he was on board the ship before that Minister landed, +and under weigh, if he had not actually crossed the bar, before he had +any interview with the person who in a public dispatch strongly implies +that his previous representations and promises, if not an audience on +November 28 in Lisbon, had prevailed on him to embark.[3] + +Lord Strangford arrived in London with the news of the safe departure +of the Court from the Tagus, before the official intelligence which he +had sent by another ship reached the office. He had leisure during his +voyage to improve the story he had invented, and he made the whole so +dramatic that Mr. Canning, in the first fervour of gratitude, gave him a +riband; promised him the appointment to Rio Janeiro; offered him an Irish +earldom, which, as Mr. Canning expressed it, he had the _modesty_ to +refuse; and above all pressed him most earnestly to write a full account +of the animating tale he had related in the shape of a dispatch, and to +date it, “_Off the Tagus_.” He accordingly complied; and in observance of +the rules of fiction which both as a poet and a politician he had studied +and practised so successfully + + Servetur ad imum + Qualis ab incepto processerit, + +he composed an epistle in Reddish’s Hotel, St. James’s Street, as +true, or rather as false, as the date of it. It was published, while +the ink of the original was yet wet, in the official Gazette of the +country![4] Mr. Canning must have been thunderstruck when he received +the original dispatch, and discovered many variations in the second +edition. He was, however, either too vain to acknowledge himself a dupe +or too good-natured to expose the impostor. So far, therefore, from +disavowing Lord Strangford, he appointed him Minister to Rio Janeiro, +where, notwithstanding his detected falsehoods and other misconduct, he +was continued for many years against the better judgment of his various +employers, through the contrivances of the Portuguese Ambassador, +Souza[5] (Count Funchal), and the interest of his relation and protector, +the Duke of Northumberland. Mr. Brougham, who saw him frequently, did +not spare him in the _Morning Chronicle_; indeed, he dwelt so much on +the subject that I intimated to him and to Mr. Perry, the proprietor, +that it was growing tiresome. Whether by the contrivance of Mr. Brougham +to avenge himself of this criticism, or by pure accident, I know not, +but certain it is that Lord Strangford has always imputed those just +but severe strictures on his conduct to me, and with exquisite judgment +complained to Mr. Brougham, the real author, of the malignity and +inveteracy with which they were penned. + +To return, however, to my narrative. Some regiments, detached from Sicily +to co-operate with a squadron for compelling the Portuguese and Russian +fleets on the Tagus to surrender in case the Prince of Brazil had not +determined to sail for America, were on the coast; an expedition, which I +have already adverted to as prepared during our Ministry, was at Cork[6]; +and a small army, sent to the King of Sweden under the command of Sir +John Moore, was released from that service by the dis-agreements which +occurred between that King and the English general. All these forces were +ready to act when the intelligence of the revolution in Spain reached +England.[7] + +It was brought thither at the end of May, or beginning of June, 1808, +from the Asturias by Matarosa and Don Andres de la Vega: the first, a +young nobleman afterwards better known by the name of Count Torreno; +the latter, a provincial lawyer, who united to considerable sagacity +and unblemished integrity great sobriety of judgment and a character +capable of inspiring and of feeling confidence. He afterwards laboured to +counteract the effects of that suspicion which both in and out of Cortes +was estranging the Spaniards from their allies; but he died of the yellow +fever at Cadiz before he acquired all the fame he deserved, and before +the healing qualities of his temper could be applied to the prevention +of those calamities which the return of King Ferdinand so unexpectedly +produced. His modest character and inferior rank, the extreme youth of +Matarosa, and the comparative insignificance of the province of the +Asturias, made our Government hesitate till the arrival of the Galician +and Andalusian deputies, men not equal in capacity, but of higher rank by +birth or station. Admiral Apodaca, though, in truth, selected to screen +him from the resentment of the multitude for having signed a proclamation +favourable to the French and not for any proof of zeal against them, +had a very prepossessing appearance, and a manner which announced +more knowledge of the world and talents of business than he really +possessed. These circumstances, and a confirmation of the simultaneous +rising throughout Spain on St. Ferdinand’s Day (May 25), determined our +Government to afford all possible aid to the first popular resistance +which the aggressions of Napoleon had encountered. Mr. Whitbread and +some other Whigs, but especially that genuine though sober lover of +freedom “wherever pleaded,” Mr. Horner,[8] caught the flame which such a +contest was likely to kindle in every generous breast. Lord Grey, while +his first impressions were yet warm, wrote me word that had he been in +office I should have been despatched to the insurgents without loss of +time. Some of the Ministers were less sanguine than the public; and Lord +Westmorland,[9] in a phrase characteristic of his feelings and taste, +said, “The Spaniards had got into a d——d scrape, and if we did not look +sharp they would drag us into it too.” + +Count Florida Blanca[10] and my amiable, philosophical friend, Don +Gaspar Melchior de Jovellanos,[11] on acceding to the cause of the +insurgents, wrote to me to convey the intelligence to our Government. I +forwarded their respective letters, with a translation, to the Secretary +of State’s office, and a copy of my answers, in which I pointedly +disclaimed all connection or influence with any Ministry, but expressed +my private conviction that every Englishman in or out of our Councils +would be forward in assisting Spain in so arduous and so honourable a +struggle. I observed that Mr. Canning took very slight notice of these +communications, which, considering the character and station of the +writers, were not unimportant. I have since ascertained that he took +umbrage at my writing to the Under-Secretary of State and not to himself, +which I did from an unwillingness to give my correspondence too great an +air of importance or an appearance of obtruding either inquiry or opinion +of mine on the Government. + +On my applying soon afterwards for a passport to travel in Spain, he +wrote me a letter of misplaced admonition; which I answered in a way to +show him that I should regulate myself by my own notions of propriety +without considering his, and that I did not conceive a Secretary of +State, in granting a passport to an English gentleman, had any authority +or occasion to read him a lecture as to his intercourse with foreigners. +This little incident and other traits which occurred at the same time +were indications of that personal vanity and flippancy which have +often obstructed his ambitious designs by raising him enemies most +unnecessarily, and which are the real defects of his character rather +than weaknesses of a baser nature at that time very generally, but at +all times very falsely, imputed to him. In our party Lord Grenville, +swayed by Mr. Wickham,[12] who deemed French armies invincible, and Mr. +Brougham, who had written himself into a persuasion that everything +which postponed peace must terminate in disaster, took in the course of +the summer a very despondent view of the contest on the Peninsula; but +the Duke of Norfolk was the only man who in 1808 publicly deprecated the +policy of assisting the Spaniards. The Convention of Cintra, the retreat +of Sir John Moore, the defeat and the dispersion of the Spanish armies, +and the arguments in the _Edinburgh Review_, converted many to the same +opinion in the course of a few months. Even Mr. Windham, with all his +ardour for war and hatred of the French, was at moments startled at the +apparition of liberty which the patriots occasionally summoned to their +aid, and at a subsequent period was scared at the notion of resisting +Napoleon himself by anything approaching to democratical principles. + +The troops I have described above[13] were employed in the first instance +and in the absence of Sir John Moore, who was personally detained some +time in Sweden, to rescue Portugal from the French. They were placed +for that purpose under the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley. The King +disapproved of entrusting so important an expedition to a General so +low in the list. He insisted on some older officer superseding him if +the force were augmented. These objections of His Majesty led to the +appointments of Sir Hew Dalrymple and Sir Harry Burrard, which occasioned +no little confusion. The brilliant battle of Vimiero and the Convention +of Cintra,[14] which, though it sacrificed some advantages, at least +liberated the west coast of the Peninsula from all French armies, are +all matters of history. + +The circumstances relating to them were well sifted at the time, and I +know of no private or unpublished fact which would further illustrate +them. The success in Portugal, however incomplete, was considered by all +as necessarily the forerunner of some more extensive undertaking, but the +Generals there employed were for different reasons incapacitated from +the command of any immediate and greater expedition. The appointment of +a commander became the subject of much public speculation and anxiety, +and no doubt of as much secret deliberation and private intrigue. The +popular writers affected to apprehend that the Duke of York was destined +by Court favour to that important service. It is indeed probable that +his father countenanced such pretensions; and till the subsequent +career of Sir Arthur Wellesley enabled him without self-disparagement +to acquiesce in any appointment founded on a series of triumphs, it is +natural to suppose that a Prince of the Blood at the head of the army +was somewhat unwilling to admit his failures to be disqualifications for +a command to which no rival could aspire on the plea of any splendid or +popular success. The public, and the Ministry perhaps, thought otherwise. +Cobbett and other writers employed their memory and their wit to expose +his incapacity in the field; and a pamphlet, written in a mysterious +tone of insinuation and menace, prepared a way for the charges which +were afterwards preferred against him. It proceeded from a cabal, with +which some persons in the Duke of Kent’s family were reported to have a +connection. Ministers possibly were not displeased at having it in their +power to plead the existence of popular clamour and prejudice against +an appointment, which for many stronger but less courtly reasons they +wished to avoid. But Sir John Moore, the only person whom they could +venture to recommend to so extensive and important a command, never +enjoyed their confidence either before or after his appointment.[15] +His support at home in case of misfortune must have appeared to him +precarious, and he assumed the command in a temper of distrust very +natural, and in some views laudable, but not very propitious to the +success of a cause depending more upon passion than calculation, nor +encouraging to a people whose main resource consisted in an inward and +rooted persuasion that they were invincible. + +With great and very unusual qualities of understanding and disposition, +Sir John Moore was perhaps less adapted to the command to which he was +appointed than to any other to which his destiny could have called him. +He was, indeed, the most accomplished soldier in our army. He united +firmness, knowledge, and sagacity, to great military skill and zeal for +his profession and his country. He had shown decision of character in +the field of action, and never betrayed any want of it in such commands +as he had been entrusted with. Nor was this all. The attachment of +numerous, and among them the most sensible, officers in the army, and the +veneration in which his memory was held by them even after his disaster +and death, cannot be accounted for by the active praise of his relations +and countrymen,[16] but prove that he really possessed those virtues +which confer on a commander an authority over the opinions and wishes +as well as the actions of his followers. But as he could not feel, so +neither could he inspire, confidence in any but a regular force. His +affections were limited to British officers, and he was either unwilling +or unable to court the goodwill or humour the weaknesses of any other. +His high spirit would not stoop to countenance either absurdity or +exaggeration; he disdained, perhaps he undervalued, the advantages which, +in a moment of national ferment, some extravagance of hopes and even of +expressions may produce.[17] He knew the superiority of English troops +over the undisciplined and ill-officered bands of their allies; and if +not childishly complacent in displaying, he was at least at no pains to +conceal, his sentiments on that subject. + +He could not rely on the statements or depend on the skill of the +Spaniards with whom he came in contact, and he soon let them know that he +had made that discovery. Anxious not to forfeit his military reputation, +he probably expressed less ardour in the cause than he evinced +apprehension of reproach should he risk the safety of so large a British +force; and the tone of circumspection and diffidence at headquarters +spread through the army, and tended, no doubt, to produce in some +degree that backwardness to co-operate with them in the natives, which +he quotes so often in his notes and correspondence as a proof of their +want of enthusiasm. In the last and most important epoch of his life he +put himself in the right in all his differences with others; but it is +observable that, though in the right, he did always differ with those +whose co-operation and concert were most necessary to his success. + +Before he took the command of the army, Ministers should have sent him +to the Spanish Governments then forming, or should have selected at +his recommendation some military man with whom he was in the habits of +confidence. The choice, however, fell on my friend, Mr. Frere,[18] a man +of a warm and generous disposition, of singular and original wit, and of +great literary accomplishments, who was zealous in the cause of Spain. He +had, it is true, contributed to our rupture with that country in 1804 and +to the scandalous capture of the frigates; but his personal quarrel with +the Prince of the Peace[19] might well be expected to atone for all such +offences, in the eyes of a nation irritated even to madness against that +favourite. His anti-Gallican spirit, too, somewhat extravagant elsewhere, +was congenial with the feelings of Spaniards, and not unlikely to inspire +them with confidence in him. + +These considerations and his intimacy with Mr. Canning were his +recommendations. He had no other: with all his ardour, reading, talents, +and humour, he was a bad man of business. His manners, repulsive at all +times to new acquaintance, became yet more so when the importance of +the affairs in which he was engaged rendered him absent and pompous. +Thus distant to some and suspicious of all, he was often the dupe of +low and designing men, and yet oftener of his own imagination. He had +no knowledge of men’s characters, and even when he adopted their ideas +and approved of their conduct, was neither communicative nor cordial +in his official intercourse with them. His habitual absence assumed, +when he was in a public capacity, the appearance of haughty demeanour +and self-sufficiency; and though entirely exempt from such vices, he +preferred incurring the imputation of them to the acknowledgment of the +more venial infirmities of inattention, indolence, or forgetfulness. In +his correspondence with Sir John Moore he showed great want of judgment +in collecting intelligence, was unaccountably remiss in conveying such as +he did collect, and culpably presumptuous and offensive in the tone and +substance of his advice and remonstrances. + +The General, from the commencement, was disposed to remain on or near the +frontiers of Portugal, and averse to any forward movement, especially +after the discomfiture of Blake in Biscay and Castanos in Arragon. He +wavered, however, either from want of accurate intelligence or from the +earnest representations of Mr. Frere. By that irresolution some time was +lost in forming his junction with Sir David Baird,[20] who had landed at +Coruña; and between the project of retreating by Portugal or Galicia the +necessary preparations were completed in neither. When it was determined +to retreat through Galicia, Admiral de Courcy, who commanded at Coruña, +was directed to prepare the transports at that port _or_ at Vigo, +according to his judgment as to which port was most favourable for the +embarkation of troops in the face of an enemy. On that subject no seaman +could doubt. Ships can anchor in Vigo Bay beyond the reach of cannon, +and, even if driven from thence, the islands at the mouth of the harbour +afford water for an army and a road with tolerable anchorage for a fleet, +where they could lie for a favourable wind in safety from any attack but +such as supposes a superiority at sea in the enemy. + +Thither, therefore, most of the transports were sent early in December, +1808, and there Sir Samuel Hood, detached with a large squadron of +men-of-war, found them. While they lay there, that is, for more than a +month, the wind continued from the eastward, and would have rendered it +difficult and tedious for them to beat up to Coruña. Sir John Moore, +before he left Lugo on January 9, sent orders to Vigo to bring the +transports to Coruña, but the messenger lost the dispatch and arrived +without it. Captain Capel,[21] however, on the 13th or 14th, received +another and private letter from the army. There was a hasty note on +the cover, written, I think, in pencil, and nearly obliterated by the +carriage and damp weather. It mentioned the orders to retreat on Coruña, +and after some consultation Sir Samuel Hood inferred from it that the +lost dispatch must have contained orders to sail from that port. The +wind, as if to favour that design, suddenly changed to the south and +south-west. It blew fresh, but the whole fleet weighed anchor, put to +sea, and actually entered the Bay of Coruña on the evening of the 15th, +with a stiff breeze which, both from its strength and direction, would +have impeded, if not prevented, its sailing out of the same bay in the +face of an enemy. + +Sir John Moore had been there four days, and the French army had come up +to him more than forty-eight hours before the transports arrived. Had +the wind that brought them continued, they would scarcely have improved +the prospects of the English army. But during the night of the 15th and +the ensuing day, while the battle was yet fighting, it came round more +and more to the eastward, and was so favourable in the afternoon that +the greater part of the troops, though in considerable confusion, were +not only on board, but actually at sea the very night of the action, +which did not commence till about midday on the 16th. The General, who, +after a painful campaign, had fallen as it closed, was “buried sadly” at +dead of night, and left, as the melancholy dirge expresses it, “to his +glory”: which, however, is not only commemorated in that very beautiful +composition, and in the Latin inscription written by Dr. Parr on his +monument at Coruña, but must live in the recollection of the English +army, and be preserved by every impartial historian of the time. + +The particulars I have related prove, indeed, that the transports should +either never have been sent to Vigo, or the retreat should have been +made upon that place; not perhaps from Lugo, but from Astorga by Orense +and Tuy. The country through which that road lies is comparatively +fertile, and it had been less exhausted by the recent passage of troops. +The roads are less practicable, and the cannon of both the flying +and pursuing armies must have been left behind. But Vigo is a port +admirably adapted for the embarkation of troops. The preference given to +Coruña, which nothing but the most signal good fortune prevented from +being fatal to fleet and army, and the irresolution between November +16 and December 5, seem the only mistakes that military critics can +discover in the unfortunate but arduous campaign of Sir John Moore. +The vagueness, inaccuracy, and contradictions of the intelligence he +received sufficiently account for the latter. It was, in truth, more +extraordinary that he was not led into yet greater embarrassments, than +that he incurred inconveniences from the expectations held out to him +by the Spaniards, the sudden dispersion of all their armies, and the +contradictory statements by which it was attempted to conceal the extent, +nature, and consequences of those disasters. + +A transcendent genius would, I think, have done more than this great +officer accomplished; but very few would have displayed more firmness or +so much sagacity. Less of either of those qualities would have betrayed +him into a situation which, without serving the cause of Spain, must have +terminated in the surrender or annihilation of the English army. His view +of affairs appeared at the time to some, and among them to myself, to +be dictated by an unwarrantable indifference in the cause and an excess +of circumspection, amounting to timidity, in council. But subsequent +disclosures prove such circumspection to have been necessary. It reflects +honour on his discernment, without in the smallest tittle detracting from +his zeal in the service of his country. He formed a just estimate of the +effects of his advance; it exposed his army to be attacked and almost +surrounded by superior numbers, but by bringing the whole disposable +French force northwards, it gave the Spaniards a chance, and deferred +the invasion of the Andalusias. In his last melancholy letter, written +three days before his death, he seems to repent of having departed +from his original determination of retreating from Salamanca through +Portugal.[22] But the movement which he regrets saved Spain, though it +did so, perhaps, chiefly in consequence of the Austrian war, of which he +was not apprised.[23] Seville and Cadiz would have inevitably fallen had +the French corps pressed forward through Estremadura and La Mancha. They +were recalled on the alarm of Sir John Moore’s advance into Old Castile. +It was consequently some time before the French could resume offensive +operations in the south. The hostility of the peasantry and the increase +of the irregular bands or guerillas harassed their communications, when +their armies were spread over so large a surface. + +Numerous though not very formidable armies were collected by the +Spaniards in the south, and that sanguine officer, Sir Robert Wilson,[24] +with a miserable band of ragamuffins called the “Lusitanian Legion,” +contrived, by threatening proclamations, letters purposely thrown in the +way of the enemy, and other devices, to preserve Ciudad Rodrigo from +attack and to keep on the alert a French force considerable enough to +have taken that fortress and made a fatal inroad on Portugal itself. He +remained where he was, in spite of the orders of Sir John Cradock[25] +and the remonstrances of almost every English officer with whom he +communicated. The value of this service can only be estimated by those +who were in the country at the time. Such was the consternation at Lisbon +that his retreat would have been the signal for embarking every British +soldier in that capital or its neighbourhood. + +The result of this campaign produced disappointment and dismay in +England. Sir John Moore was in habits and opinions more connected with +the Whigs than with their opponents. He was sincerely lamented by +that party; and in vindicating his memory, sometimes from reasonable +criticism, at others from malevolent aspersions, many members of it +were hurried into disparaging a cause in which they thought he had been +sacrificed by Ministers. Mr. Canning was compelled to give up his friend +Mr. Frere in debate. He did so with much emotion in manner, but without +assigning those reasons in his defence which might have been urged with +truth, though probably with little public effect. He was recalled, +and Lord Wellesley appointed Ambassador to Spain. Mr. Frere, though +mortified, loitered on at Seville, accepted a title from the Junta, which +he was permitted by our Court to bear anywhere _out of England_,[26] and +would not have quitted Spain if the progress of the French had not driven +him to the coast. + +I was in Spain during the whole Session of 1809, and was fortunate in +being so. All minds in England were engrossed with the inquiry into +the conduct of the Duke of York and the examination, among other bad +characters, of his mistress, Mrs. Clarke. It was a disgusting business, +and I am unacquainted with the details. The intemperate defiance to which +Mr. Charles Yorke and the Ministers resorted, his own sanguine temper and +hasty assertion of a negative proposition, and, I am afraid I must add, +the injudicious management of Mr. Adam,[27] both before and during the +investigation, combined with the unpopularity which an apprehension of +his commanding an expedition had produced, were the leading causes of a +result unfavourable to the Commander-in-Chief. His case, though exempt +from moral turpitude, legal guilt, or dishonourable feeling, was yet +indefensible in public. He was compelled to resign. Sir David Dundas,[28] +who succeeded him, was considered, how truly I know not, as his creature: +and the Army was thought to be as much under his direction, through the +connivance of the King and the subserviency of that General after his +removal, as before. + +The accusation originated in a cabal of disappointed and malignant men, +among whom were to be found Captain Dodd, aide-de-camp to the Duke of +Kent, and Mr. Glennie, an officer of Engineers, formerly treated with +some harshness by the Duke of Richmond. They availed themselves of +disclosures, true and false, made to them in moments of passion by a +Mrs. Clarke, a mistress discarded by the Duke of York and defrauded +of the annuity to which a direct promise had entitled her. The woman, +however, acted more from interest and vanity than malignity or revenge. +She was at first averse to any public exposure of His Royal Highness, +and only desirous to extort the money which she thought her due, and +which, in honour as well as policy, ought never to have been withheld. +Irritated afterwards by the taunts of the Duke’s advisers and partisans, +and tickled by the success of her personal charms and flippant repartees +in the House of Commons, she ransacked her memory for every private +transaction and confidential conversation on the subject of promotions, +and related them, with great apparent accuracy and perspicuity and +without asperity or exaggeration, to the public. + +All the popular writers, Tory as well as Whig, Methodist as well +as Jacobin, joined in representing the testimony as conclusive of +corruption. The country was in a flame. There had never hitherto (at +least in our time) been any measure hostile to the Court so popular +as the inquiry and censure of the Duke of York. Colonel Wardle, who +conducted it, of mean capacity and meaner disposition, was remarkable +for nothing but the atrocities he had perpetrated and encouraged against +the Irish insurgents in 1797; he was a party to the designs and a tool +in the hands of that little knot of discontented officers with whom the +proceeding originated.[29] Other members in pursuit of popularity were +led into too much co-operation with them; and Lord Folkestone,[30] a man +of integrity, honour, and understanding, perhaps the most formidable of +the Duke’s opponents, got so much entangled in an amour with Mrs. Clarke, +that he might have made allowance for weaknesses of which he found +himself, even at the moment of arraigning them, very susceptible. + +Many Whigs, though they disdained all connection with such associates +as Colonel Wardle and Mrs. Clarke, thought they were not bound to show +much forbearance towards one who abhorred their principles and had sapped +their power; much less to incur the offence and odium of screening what, +if not delinquency, was at least impropriety of conduct, for the sake of +riveting in authority a Prince who would never exert it in their favour. +“We have for once,” said Lord Althorp,[31] a spirited young man, keen in +sport and in politics, “the people in full cry against the Court, and +we are fools if we do not ride up to the hounds.” The older and more +sober members of the party, especially the Cavendishes and those who +recollected the Duke of York’s good qualities when they agreed with +him on politics in 1788, were inclined to adopt a more magnanimous but +less popular policy; but the Whigs as a body took no distinct or manly +tone whatever on this embarrassing occasion. The different sides they +espoused proved that no leader had any authority over them, and perhaps +the violence of some and the irresolution of others proved as clearly +that not one of them had the qualities requisite to assume it. Mr. +Ponsonby[32] sunk in the estimation of the party, and the party sunk yet +more in the estimation of the public. + +During the remainder of the Session many motions were brought forward +with a view of courting popularity or allaying the ferment of men’s +minds. Ministers were arraigned by name for interfering with elections +and other corrupt practices; bills for abolishing sinecures, reducing +pensions, and reforming Parliament were announced, and one with many +alterations by the Ministry for the further prevention of bribery was +passed, though with little benefit to the public. On the whole these +discussions did harm. The exaggeration of the reformers, on one side, and +the scandalous admission and defence of many practices grossly improper, +on the other, lowered the House of Commons without strengthening the +people, and thereby weakened the only weapon which can be used with +any efficacy against the silent but steady encroachments of Regal and +Ministerial power. + +During this period Ministers were not united. The shrewd among their +opponents perceived both in their speeches and their measures strange +symptoms of difference, if not disunion. The fatal expedition to +Walcheren was evidently adopted as a compromise, but in its consequences +widened and proclaimed the breach. Lord Castlereagh was not consulted by +his colleague, Mr. Canning, on the affairs of Spain, and a diversion in +the north of Europe, strongly urged by the Austrians, was, in the shape +of an expedition to Walcheren, resorted to as an expedient to prevent +his interference with projects relating to the Peninsula, where the +nature of his views was likely to create (and in one or two instances did +actually create) considerable embarrassment. During the retreat of Sir +John Moore he had sent a Sir George Smith with a small force to Cadiz, +to secure by negotiation, and in certain cases by force, the Spanish +squadron there.[33] That object was not, I suspect, even communicated +to Mr. Canning; it was certainly mistaken and unknown by Mr. Frere, and +when suspected by the Junta, pointedly and sincerely disclaimed by Mr. +Frere. Whether right or wrong, a measure so offensive to the Spanish was +inconsistent with all our professions, and not of a piece with any of +the other transactions in that country. Sir Sidney Smith[34] likewise +had received instructions in the Brazils from Lord Castlereagh, which +justified him in adopting a line directly contrary to that which Lord +Strangford, in obedience to Mr. Canning, was pursuing. + +To prevent such conflicts of authority, it seems that the notable device +of giving Lord Castlereagh some expedition entirely his own was hit +upon.[35] The enterprise on the Scheldt originated with him at a time +when so little cordiality subsisted between him and Mr. Canning, that the +latter had applied to the Duke of Portland to remove him from his office, +and declared that his continuance in it was incompatible with his own +possession of the Foreign Seals. The removal of Lord Castlereagh had been +agreed to, but was deferred on various pretences of the Duke of Portland +and Lord Camden. + +The expedition originated with a Minister thus circumstanced, and, +as it were, secretly condemned by his colleagues. Lord Chatham[36] +was entrusted with the command, at whose suggestion I know not. The +appointment was certainly a strange and unfortunate one. His countenance +and carriage, indeed, bespoke high spirit and genius, and such qualities +might readily have been expected from the brother of Mr. Pitt and the son +of Lord Chatham. But his life had hitherto belied all such appearances +and expectations. He had never spoken in Parliament, and in the high +offices he had filled had been remarkable for nothing but procrastination +and inactivity. Alike insensible to the glories shed on his name by his +father and the favours showered upon him by his brother, he sold the +monument raised to the first Lord Chatham at Burton Pynsent[37] for a +few pounds to a neighbouring apothecary; and he remained in office with +Mr. Addington when all Mr. Pitt’s personal friends retired with him in +1801. Injuries, real or supposed, made a deeper impression on his mind; +he never forgave Lord Melville for urging his removal from the Admiralty +in 1795, and he hardly excused his brother for complying with that +suggestion, though his indolence in office had rendered it unavoidable +and become so notorious that he was nicknamed by the Navy, from the hours +he kept, _The Late Lord Chatham_. He had imperceptibly risen to be an old +General in the Army; for, with the exception of the disastrous descent +at the Helder in 1799, and possibly a part of the siege of Gibraltar, +he had never seen any service,[38] and for more than twenty-five years +had discharged no military duties whatever. Yet he now assumed the +command of the largest expedition which ever left our coast with as much +indifference as he had voted in Parliament and received the emoluments +of the Admiralty, the Presidentship, or the Ordnance, during the last +twenty-three years of his life. + +The calamities of the expedition are matter for history. The Navy +ascribed the failure to Lord Chatham; his conduct at the Admiralty was +not forgotten by them, and Sir Home Popham,[39] who had instigated +the expedition and devised many of the plans, was not sorry to shift +the whole blame on the execution rather than the design. No exploit +was performed sufficient to reconcile the public to so unexpected an +appointment as that of Lord Chatham. When, however, he was examined in +the House of Commons, the stateliness of his deportment, the firmness +and compass of his voice, his self-possession, dignity, and dexterity, +persuaded some who were no mean judges that the necessity of exertion +would have discovered in him great parliamentary talents, though command +in the field had drawn forth no display of military genius. He delivered +clandestinely to the King a paper justifying himself, and in some degree +inculpating the Navy, and even the Admiralty. Lord Mulgrave[40] repelled +the charge in the House of Lords with spirit; but Lord Chatham, who was +obliged to retire from his office, never opened his lips, but on his +examination. + +The expedition to Walcheren occasioned changes in France as well as +in England. Napoleon was on the Danube. Fouché,[41] Minister of the +Interior, on the first alarm of our descent on the coast of Holland, +raised, without communicating the step to the Emperor, a large body +of national guards. They were of some service at Antwerp; but the +circumstance, together with a negotiation with Lord Wellesley soon +afterwards for peace, which was carried on by an agent of Fouché without +the participation of his colleagues or of the Emperor himself, gave +Napoleon great umbrage.[42] He thought his Minister too powerful and +too busy; and though his conduct on the invasion of Walcheren had been +serviceable to France, it furnished a motive for dismissing him. + +In England, Lord Castlereagh, mortified at the complete discomfiture +of his favourite project, found that he had been all along sacrificed +by his colleagues, and, partly from calculation, partly from anger, +resigned. Mr. Canning had done so the day before, either because Lord +Castlereagh had not been apprised of the intention of removing him, or +because he had not been removed. The duel between these two Ministers, +the challenge, correspondence, and circumstances which led to it, were +all printed, published, and canvassed at the time. Lord Castlereagh, in +his rage, sought a mode of redress not well suited to the injury, and +perhaps he did not select the real offender. For if the concealment, not +the conception, of the design of removing him constituted the offence, +with the Duke of Portland and Lord Camden, not Mr. Canning, rested the +guilt of the concealment. Mr. Canning pressed them to disclose it; he +possibly, and even probably, thought that they had disclosed it. The +conduct of Lord Castlereagh, who was an excellent marksman, and had +practised with pistols to qualify himself for the Irish House of Commons, +seemed dictated by a thirst of vengeance rather than a sense of wounded +honour.[43] “A gentleman,” observed Mr. Windham, “does not fight to +avenge his political wrongs, but to vindicate his character. Here is an +injury, and possibly some duplicity, of which Lord Castlereagh has a +right to complain; but there has been no aspersion on his reputation, no +insult which demands reparation or satisfaction.” + +Nevertheless, the proof of spirit, where very unwarrantably none had +hitherto been supposed to reside, raised the character of the man, +and even softened the unpopularity he had incurred by the disastrous +expedition to Walcheren.[44] On the other hand, no explanation of Mr. +Canning could do away the impression in the world that he had acted +unfairly and treacherously by his colleague. He sunk in the same +proportion as his rival rose in public estimation, and particularly in +the House of Commons. It was whimsically observed that the first two +Irishmen that had ever sat together in an English _Cabinet_ terminated +their differences in the _field_. + +The day after the duel Mr. Perceval wrote to Lord Grey and Lord +Grenville, the former of whom was in Northumberland, the latter in +Cornwall. His letter mentioned the intention of the Duke of Portland to +resign in consequence of bad health, and stated His Majesty’s authority +to Lord Liverpool and himself to communicate with the two Lords, “for +the purpose of forming an extended and combined Administration”; he then +expressed his hopes that they would come to town to forward, with as +little delay as possible, that important object, and apprise him of their +arrival. He also mentioned Lord Castlereagh’s and Mr. Secretary Canning’s +intentions of resigning. + +Lord Grey construed this letter as containing _His Majesty’s authority_ +to Mr. Perceval to communicate with him, and _Mr. Perceval’s_ hopes that +he would come up to town and avoid loss of time in forwarding the object +of forming a combined Administration. He therefore contented himself with +declaring that such a union was impossible; and thinking his appearance +in London might occasion delay in forming a settled Government, remained +in the country, after requesting Mr. Perceval to lay before His Majesty +his humble entreaties that His Majesty would not attribute his conduct to +any want of attachment or diminished zeal in his service. + +Lord Grenville, thinking that Mr. Perceval’s letter contained an express +signification of His Majesty’s pleasure that he should come up to +London, left Cornwall; but immediately on his arrival at Camelford +House wrote to Mr. Perceval to decline the proposed communication, +from a conviction that it would be productive of no public advantage. +He disclaimed in his letter all personal hostilities and all desire of +prolonging political differences, and hinted at his opinions on the +Catholic question, by declaring that it was “his wish and the duty +of every loyal subject to compose, not enflame, the divisions of the +Empire.” “His accession to the Administration,” he observed, “could not +contribute to that object, and could only be considered as a dereliction +of public principles. The retreat of some members from the Ministry +made no difference; his objections not being to persons, but to the +principles of the Government itself and the circumstances attending its +appointment.” He then closed the letter with the usual assurances of zeal +and attachment to His Majesty. + +Mr. Perceval, in a reply to Lord Grenville studiously polite and +conciliatory, endeavoured to mark his sense of the different conduct of +Lord Grey; and though that conduct arose from a different construction +put by the two Lords on the phraseology of Mr. Perceval’s first overture, +there was some apprehension in Lord Grey’s mind lest an inference of +more substantial difference in their views might be drawn from it. Such +a consequence was, however, entirely avoided. It happened fortunately +enough that the conduct of each on this occasion seemed to refute the +calumnies on their respective characters, which had of late been most +sedulously propagated by their enemies. Lord Grenville, so often styled +by the courtiers stiff, unbending, and repulsive, came up to town on the +summons, though his purpose was to decline the proffered negotiation. +Lord Grey, on the contrary, who had most unaccountably been accused by +the demagogues of an undue appetite for office, did not even wait to +consult his friends, but, at the risk of offending the King, peremptorily +and instantly declined all communication, and remained at the distance +of three hundred miles. Their answers were approved by the party in a +manner highly creditable to the disinterestedness of so large a body of +men. Nor were they unpalatable to the public at large. The doctrine that +all politicians will sacrifice principle to office had been recently +inculcated with great industry. The country was gratified, as it should +be, at a practical refutation of that false and degrading supposition. +Lord Westmorland, to whose understanding a combined Administration and +a loss of place were synonymous, remarked on this transaction, “What an +escape the country has had!” + +Lord Grey communicated his answer to the Prince of Wales, and Lord +Grenville apprised him of his also, before they were publicly known. When +I called at Carlton House I found His Royal Highness exceedingly pleased +at this attention, and mightily disposed to thrust himself into some +negotiation either for a coalition or a new Administration. With that +view he had offered his services to the King, and expressed a readiness +to go down to Windsor; but his father in a short and dry answer declined +the offer, reminding him of some assurance, formerly made (probably at +the time of our dismissal from office), of never interfering in political +arrangements unless _expressly requested_ to do so by His Majesty. Lord +St. Vincent, to whom the Prince of Wales showed this letter of His +Majesty, said: “I admire it, sir, as a masterpiece in its way; it is the +best attorney letter I ever read.” + +Mr. Sheridan took me to Carlton House to see this correspondence. He told +me in the anteroom that I should like the Prince’s letter extremely. “The +fact is,” added he, “the Prince had drawn it out at first himself, but +in a way that would never have done, awkward in expression, forgetful of +things that had passed, and pledging himself to others in future that +would have been the devil and all. I contrived, however, just by hinting +a thing here and there, to recast the whole, and he is delighted with it; +because having drawn the original sketch he fancies the picture his own, +though I left none of the outline and the colouring was never his own.” + +No sooner was I admitted and seated than a scene ensued, which would +really have been worthy of Mr. Sheridan’s pencil, if he had not himself +performed a part in the original. The Prince produced the paper with +great complacency, and began by informing me that he was sure I should +like it, “For,” said he, “Sheridan will excuse me, but though he is a +clever fellow at such things, I must say he had drawn up a d——d bad paper +on this occasion. I just took the form and outline, but I have altered +it myself, and was obliged to do so.” He then read it over sentence by +sentence, and almost at every word he turned to Mr. Sheridan and said: +“You know it stood so and so, but I altered it,” or, “You will allow +that’s better, Sheridan?” To all which Mr. Sheridan nodded assent. I left +the house without being deeply impressed with the value of the article +contended for, but utterly at a loss to decide to whom the merit, such as +it was, belonged. + +Lord Grenville communicated the correspondence relative to Mr. +Perceval’s overture, as it was called, to Lord Sidmouth, who said, “The +result of that step was such as was naturally to have been expected.” +He hoped, however, that Lord Grey and Lord Grenville were disposed to +afford “satisfaction and confidence” to the King’s mind on the Catholic +question, to which Lord Grenville gave no answer. + +Soon afterwards Lord Sidmouth had to return the compliment, and +communicated an overture made to him of a very singular nature through +Lord Chatham. It was to ask him to influence his brother-in-law, +Mr. Bragge Bathurst,[45] and Mr. Hobhouse,[46] to take office. The +communication was stated to be authorised and desired by the King and +Mr. Perceval; but there was not one word in it expressive of a wish to +have the assistance of Lord Sidmouth himself. It was of course rejected: +his friends would not separate from him; but Lord Sidmouth expressed a +disinclination to listen to any proposals that did not include the Whigs, +unless it was ascertained that they adhered inflexibly to a measure on +which the King could not give way. Mr. Perceval told Lord Sidmouth, very +_frankly_ at least, that his motive for desiring the aid of his friends +_without him_ was the unsurmountable personal objection felt to Lord +Sidmouth himself by some whose support was necessary to the Government. + +Lord Sidmouth, though chagrined at so preposterous a proposal and so +unmannerly an explanation of it, was yet very earnest in extorting from +Lord Grenville some declaration on the subject of the Catholics, that +is, the views and intentions of the Whigs as to what he termed _setting +the King’s mind at ease_. Lord Grenville very prudently answered that +to the principle of Mr. Perceval’s Government, that is, to a pledge in +itself unconstitutional, he could not directly or indirectly ever become +a party; but that it was not possible to enter into further explanations +of his views or of his possible conduct on the subject of Irish Catholics +in all the various circumstances that might arise; nor could any answer +be given to general phrases, such as _setting the King’s mind at ease_, +and the like, it not being known what would be required for that purpose. + +On the death of the Duke of Portland, Lord Grenville was chosen +Chancellor of the University of Oxford. It was considered as a triumph +at the time, though it was perhaps owing to a persuasion in that learned +body that the object of their choice would ere long be Minister of the +country; though there was some sagacity in an apprehension of Lord +Cowper’s that it might have a pernicious effect on Lord Grenville’s +opinions even in Opposition, and yet worse if he should obtain power on +all subjects connected with the Church.[47] To remove, as far as he could +with honour and consistency, the jealousies entertained of his principles +respecting the Roman Catholics, he wrote and printed a letter on the +subject. It contained a firm exposition of his opinions, and in point of +composition did him great credit; but it revived the agitation of details +which it would have been more advantageous to postpone till further +progress was made in the main measure, and it seemed in some degree to +pledge him to support _the Veto_, which in a few years he acknowledged +to be impracticable and, though desirable, not absolutely necessary. He +valued the distinction of the Chancellorship very highly. The unbiassed +suffrages of a learned and pious body were, in his estimation, so many +testimonies to literature, taste, integrity, and virtue. Who, therefore, +of an honest mind but was gratified at seeing a man who had sacrificed +so much to a sense of public duty rewarded at last by a favourite and +innocent object of ambition? + +I was not myself altogether insensible to an appointment, however +comparatively humble, which, upon the death of the Duke of Portland, +was conferred upon me by the Corporation of Nottingham. They chose me +Recorder, from respect to the memory of Mr. Fox and a persuasion that I +should never abandon his principles. + +In November, 1809, died John Henry, second Marquess of Lansdowne,[48] +after possessing that title about four years, during which time he never +took any part in debate nor even voted in the House of Lords. He had been +harassed by Government or by individuals in Ireland for his incautious +expression of violent political opinions a short time before he succeeded +to his title. The lady, whom he avowed as his wife immediately upon his +father’s death, was not sorry to draw him nearer to the winning side. He +was a very accomplished man, with much general knowledge, but yet more +wit and eloquence, though both were of a very laboured kind. He had more +singularity of conduct than originality of thought, but he had much of +the latter. He was neither ambitious nor designing, and but for suspicion +might have been a good man. But he had perversely persuaded himself, +and some errors in his education had taught him, to guard against every +kind affection of the heart—a quarter in which he was not by nature very +vulnerable. + +I owe much of the little useful knowledge I possess to the habits I +acquired in an intimate intercourse with him—perhaps, among other things, +the faculty, such as it is, of writing these memoirs. It is true he +afterwards used me and mine unkindly and unjustly; but it was not without +a pang that I saw a person from whom I had derived so much amusement and +instruction, and with whom I had lived in such friendship, sinking at +the age of forty-two or forty-three into an untimely grave. He told me a +fortnight before his death that he was not fool enough to imagine that he +was ever to rise from that couch; and after some sarcastic irony on the +received notions of religion in which he was apt to indulge, he assured +me that the thoughts of approaching death had never kept him awake for +a minute, though he had been aware of it for more than two months. “I +am surprised at this,” he added, “for when in health I should have +guessed that such a conviction would have harassed me exceedingly; it is +true, however, there is some little lethargy in my complaint, and that +may contribute to account for it.” He composed an epitaph for himself, +beginning, + + Here lies drowned in his armchair, + +and he fixed therein upon the period of his decease as well as described +the mode very nearly as it happened.[49] + +Lord Henry Petty[50] was by this event removed to the House of Lords. +He was the best hope of the Whig party in the Commons; and he himself +evidently at first considered the accession of a princely fortune and +a seat in the House of Lords as a loss, till in a few years the solid +comforts of those possessions compensated for the uncertain objects with +which his ambition had occasionally dazzled his judgment. + +An opinion, grounded, I suspect, on their wishes, had gone forth +among the Whigs that Mr. G. Ponsonby[51] was desirous to retire from +Parliament, or at least from the prominent station, which, in compliance +with the earnest solicitation of friends, he had consented to occupy. His +nephew, Lord Ponsonby, confirmed the report; but Mr. Ponsonby himself, +on being questioned by Lord Grey, “stated distinctly his _wish_ to +continue leader, if Lord Grey and Lord Grenville did not object to it.” +The Duke of Bedford, at my instance, brought in Mr. Brougham, who, from +his eloquence, knowledge, zeal, and activity, was a prodigious accession +to that party whose principles he had espoused and in a variety of ways +very ably maintained. He had, indeed, spoken of late very coldly of +the Catholic question, and very contemptuously of Parliament; but when +offered a seat, on the sole understanding that he was neither adverse to +the concessions to the Roman Catholics nor to an immediate agitation +of them in Parliament, he accepted it without hesitation. His conduct +there I shall have occasion to remark; but with the exception of a few +evening visits during the Walcheren inquiry, he henceforth studiously and +unaccountably avoided my society. For full six years I had no political +or private intercourse with a man whom I had been so anxious to place +and so successful in placing in the House of Commons,[52] and who never +assigned, nor, I believe, could assign, any motive for dropping all +habits and connection with me. + +His treatment of Mr. Horner, though more easily accounted for, was more +unpardonable. They were of the same age, education, habits, and pursuits: +in capacity and application nearly equal, but in temper and disposition +very unlike. Mr. Horner, whose every feeling sprung from a warm heart +and whose lightest actions were regulated by a well-considered sense of +duty, promoted and rejoiced at every advancement of his friend towards +distinction and celebrity. He was zealous in forwarding his interests, +and ready to co-operate with cordiality in maintenance of the public +principles which they professed in common. Not so Mr. Brougham. He +visibly estranged himself from his early friend and companion. Where a +shade of difference existed, he loved to bring it out rather than soften +it down; and in all dealings with or about Mr. Horner, showed such want +of affection that the high, though gentle, spirit of the other perceived +it, and without stooping to any grovelling act of resentment, disdained +to court a friendship which he saw he could not preserve. To others Mr. +Horner endeared himself more and more every day, and with the House +ingratiated himself very perceptibly. Had his health, fortune, and life +permitted, he would soon have commanded the affections of his party, +and acquired a great ascendancy in Parliament, by the variety of his +attainments, the simple earnestness of his manner, the benevolence and +sweetness of his disposition, and the inflexible integrity which was as +firmly rooted in his mind as it was indicated in his stern and manly, but +not repulsive, countenance. + +Mr. Brougham, by his unwearied exertions and wonderful powers, made +himself formidable to his enemies; he was frequently very serviceable to +his cause, and occasionally popular out of doors. The House did not like +him, but they always feared and sometimes admired him. Had the management +of the Walcheren inquiry devolved upon him, he thought, and perhaps +justly, that the result would have been a censure on the Ministers. + +The sensation on that subject both in and out of Parliament was +exceedingly strong. Many members were unquestionably inclined to express +their disapprobation of the expedition by a vote at the commencement of +the Session, who, in the course of the long investigation, were prevailed +upon to suppress their opinions, by a persuasion that time had somewhat +softened the indignation of their constituents and that a censure would +inevitably change the government of the country. Lord Porchester,[53] +who conducted the business in the Commons, though honest, firm, and +eloquent, was not skilful in the examination of witnesses. Mr. Ponsonby +was not more adroit nor more expeditious. Mr. Brougham was more intent on +exposing their oversights and errors in private, than in rectifying them +in public. Yet the ingenuity and imagery of Mr. Windham’s speeches must +have delighted, and the sound argument and plain sense of Mr. Tierney’s +convinced, the audience. The vote, therefore, of approbation was scarcely +more at variance with the wishes of the minority and the expectations of +the public, than with the real opinions of the majority who passed it. +It was the strongest practical argument ever furnished for a reform of +Parliament: for the House of Commons on that disgraceful occasion spoke +neither the sense of the people whom it represented, nor even of the +individuals who composed its body. + +[Illustration: _Francis Horner, M.P._ + +_Sir H. Raeburn, R.A. Pinx 1812._ + +_Emery Walker Ph. Sc._] + +Pending the inquiry, the House of Lords was more than usually inactive. +We could not with prudence or even with propriety take up the same +subject; and the public was so engrossed with it that no other would have +excited much interest. Lord Grenville, Lord Grey, and Lord Lauderdale[54] +opposed the thanks to Lord Wellington for the victory of Talavera. +The two last, much to my regret, entered a protest to the vote. Lord +Wellesley spoke for the first time in the character of a Minister, and he +spoke with feeling, vivacity, and effect. He was designated for Secretary +for the War Department, in room of Lord Castlereagh, by Mr. Canning; but +had in the meanwhile been sent by him [as] Ambassador to Spain, where, +after indulging his bad taste in a few silly bravadoes, he showed in +essentials much foresight, and took a more accurate and comprehensive +view of the policy of the country to which he was accredited, than is +usual in an English diplomatist, and than could have been expected in +so short a residence. On the rejection of the overtures to the Whigs, +Mr. Perceval offered him the Foreign Seals. Mr. Canning and his friends +were not a little mortified at his accepting them. Lord Liverpool, who +had successively held the Foreign and Home Department, succeeded Lord +Castlereagh in the third Secretaryship; and Mr. Ryder[55] replaced him, +after Mr. Yorke had refused to resume that office which he had filled +during Mr. Addington’s Administration with some credit for talents for +business. + +The melancholy death of Mr. Eden[56] in January, 1810, induced his +father, Lord Auckland, to absent himself from Parliament, and vacated a +Tellership of the Exchequer. It was rumoured at first that Mr. Perceval +would give it to another son of Lord Auckland’s; but though Mr. Perceval +was not devoid of that sort of liberality, it was not likely to make him +so far overstep the line of political interest. The Admiralty was vacated +by Lord Mulgrave succeeding to the Ordnance, which Lord Chatham had been +compelled to relinquish; and Mr. Yorke[57] was induced to accept the +Admiralty by the provision for life, which the Tellership, offered with +it, afforded. + +On the first report of his vacating his seat for Cambridgeshire, a +hair-brained, zealous man of the name of Goodwin, without any connection +or acquaintance with the county, apprised the freeholders in an anonymous +advertisement that a Whig candidate would start; and thus prevailed +upon Lord Francis Osborne to come forward, who was chosen with little +expense—a circumstance not less surprising from his gallantry in +furnishing Mr. Goodwin, without any previous acquaintance with him, +with an unlimited credit on his banker. This anecdote, hardly worth +preserving, shows how activity and decision carry points little expected, +and was at the time an indication of the unpopularity of Ministry. + +Much of the Session and more of the public attention were occupied +on questions of privilege. They had been very unadvisably raised by +the imprisonment of one Gale Jones,[58] who had written against the +exclusion of strangers from the House; and they were further provoked +and kept up by Sir Francis Burdett. He denied in the most offensive +form he could devise the right of the House to imprison. He forgot that +he had, the year before, directed papers to be seized and other powers +to be exerted, which, supposing no authority in Parliament to punish, +could hardly be legal and certainly could not be enforced. As Gale Jones +had been imprisoned, the House could not with decency overlook yet +more flagrant conduct in a member. Sir Francis Burdett was sent to the +Tower. Disturbances in the town, division among the Whigs, division of +public attention from the incapacity and misconduct of Ministers, and +great diminution of confidence in the House of Commons, were the natural +consequences of this ill-timed execution of an arbitrary power, which, +though in some cases necessary to the preservation of Parliament, can +scarcely ever be expedient except against the inroads of some other +authority in the State. The privileges of the Commons are intended as +means of defence against power, not as weapons of offence against liberty +or even licentiousness. Such powers must indeed be discretionary. But the +representative body, when it assumes an attitude of menace towards the +people, perverts such instruments to purposes for which they were never +entrusted to it, and runs considerable hazard of having them wrested from +their hands. + +The last efforts of Mr. Windham in Parliament were in support of its +unquestionable privileges and of the unseasonable and unwarrantable +exercise of them on this occasion. He had been during the whole of the +Session at war with the public prints and reporters. Upon the exclusion +of strangers, whence directly or indirectly flowed all the embarrassing +questions concerning privilege, both he and Mr. Tierney had expressed +themselves in a way which gave great offence to that class of men, who +had been of late years, and are still, actuated by a common feeling, +an _esprit de corps_, not altogether so favourable to liberty or +advantageous to the cause of truth as formidable to those with whom they +chance to be displeased. They suppressed for a time the speeches of both +these gentlemen.[59] Cobbett disclosed some particulars of Mr. Windham’s +intercourse with him, from which it would seem that Mr. Windham was not +so incapable of courting a good word from the newspapers as he pretended, +and, above all, was not likely to be indifferent to the menaced omission +of his name in debates. He had often corrected his speeches, and +consulted both the taste and convenience of the reporters, by speaking +from the place in the House which they had informed him was best adapted +to his voice and delivery. The gratification derived from his eloquence, +which the spite of these little men had for a season interrupted, was +soon irretrievably lost. He died lamented and admired in the beginning of +June, 1810. + +Mr. Malone printed a short sketch of his life and character. It is +probably very correct; it is certainly very insipid. Mr. Windham left +behind him some treatises on scientific subjects, and many volumes of a +journal, begun, it is said, at the instance of Dr. Johnson.[60] It was +entrusted to Mr. G. Ellis,[61] who, with a view of writing a life of Mr. +Windham, made many extracts from it, which I have seen. I am told that +Mr. Windham mentions in his journal, his having prayed fervently for the +soul of Dr. Johnson in Switzerland many years after that great writer’s +death. It is, I believe, well ascertained that previous to the operation +on which his own death ensued, he took the Sacrament privately at a +distant church.[62] Such circumstances prove that the extreme aversion +he always manifested to anything bordering on impiety in conversation +was not merely dictated by taste, decorum, or good breeding, but the +result of a real sense of religion. If Crawford had “known” (says +General FitzPatrick, in a letter to me of September 30, 1810) “more of +Windham, he would not have been surprised at his strict observance of the +ceremonies of religion. He held the _profession_ of it to be a high moral +duty, as did Burke, and I believe neither of them ever allowed their +sincerity to be questioned.” + +I hope the Christian reader will not be scandalised, or the sceptical +disposed to scoff at my mentioning these circumstances; it is useful to +record the various sentiments held by men of integrity and capacity on +such topics in the same age. The religious and irreligious may learn +from thence to have less confidence in their own persuasion and more +toleration for opinions in which they do not concur. The passages[63] +extracted by Mr. G. Ellis from Mr. Windham’s journal, and, as I am +informed, all the other parts of that work, relate rather to the history +of his studies, his feelings, and his understanding, than to any actual +events of his life or public occurrences of his time. Self-examination +and self-reproach, magnificent projects and poor performances, designs +of study and periods of idleness, irresolution, and remorse, form +a lamentable picture of an infirm mind; and though there are some +paragraphs remarkable for their eloquence, and more observations worth +the attention of a metaphysician, the total absence of all affection +and, with the exception of Dr. Johnson, of all admiration or deference +for others, deprives this painful exposure of all his inmost thoughts +and feelings of anything like interest for the man. Few, it would +appear, have been less satisfied, but none more exclusively occupied +with themselves, than Mr. Windham. On that subject he is minute even +to tediousness, plaintive and melancholy almost to insanity. _Pauvre +humanité!_ + +Mr. Perceval’s unnecessary grant of £100,000 to the clergy[64] led me +and Mr. Allen[65] to examine the history of the first-fruits and tenths. +We thought that we had discovered that the Crown was empowered, and even +enjoined by law, to make a new valuation of them, and to appropriate +the amount of the revenue which would arise from such a measure to the +objects of Queen Anne’s Bounty. I moved a string of resolutions to that +purpose, but was discomfited by the production of a clause in an Act of +George I., which had, I believe, been originally introduced into the Bill +by some manœuvre or contrivance, and which certainly bore little or no +reference to the title thereof. It was discovered by the learned Bench +about twenty-four hours before I came down to the House; and as I had +communicated the substance and, I think, the form of my resolutions to +them, their policy was more conspicuous than their candour in withholding +this discovery from my notice till my speech was delivered and my motion +made. + +In June Lord Grey moved an address on the state of the nation. The object +of the motion was to recapitulate the dangers of the country; to expose +the rashness of our policy, foreign and domestic; and to record the +public principles of himself and his friends by marking, on one hand, +the difference between the system he recommended and that pursued by the +Government, and on the other, a line of separation between himself and +those reformers who were for circumscribing the powers of Parliament as +well as altering fundamentally the basis of the representation. In all +parts of this address, even those which glanced at a moderate reform +of Parliament, Lord Grenville, though absent from illness, signified +his concurrence. I, who voted for the motion, had some slight objection +to parts of it, and entertained great doubt of the necessity or policy +of any such laboured declaration of our political creed. Lord Erskine +and the Duke of Norfolk courted popularity by expressing doubts on the +privilege question; but neither the one nor the other had the courage to +contend manfully with Lord Grey and resort to the only arguments by which +their opinions could be plausibly maintained. They therefore involved +themselves in generalities, or entangled the question in legal subtleties. + +At the latter end of this Session Lord Lauderdale objected to a flagrant +job in favour of Mr. Walter Scott’s brother; Lord Melville defended +it on the score of rewarding poetical genius; and I, after ironically +congratulating Lord Melville on his tardy conversion to the beauties of +poetry, to which he had shown himself so insensible in the instance of +his countryman Burns, acquiesced in the propriety of rewarding Walter +Scott, but deprecated a job injurious to the public service in favour +of his brother. When I visited Scotland in the summer the irritable +bard would not deign to speak to me, and even closed his mouth when he +perceived me listening to the good stories he was telling at the other +end of the table at a club where I met him at Edinburgh.[66] + +Both the theatres had been burnt down in the autumn of 1808 and the +spring of 1809.[67] Notwithstanding the losses of Mr. Kemble, which were +in some degree repaired by the Duke of Northumberland, who on this and +some other rare occasions capriciously belied his general character by an +act of useful generosity, Covent Garden Theatre was rebuilt and opened +in 1810. An attempt was made to raise the prices. An unusual number of +private boxes, and the introduction of an Italian singer on the stage, +rendered that innovation yet more unpalatable to the public. They thought +an undue advantage was taken of that entire monopoly which the hopeless +state of the Drury Lane Theatre concerns virtually conferred on Covent +Garden. + +The taste for expensive exhibitions, the real or nominal change in the +value of money, and the increased salary of the actors, did indeed seem +to justify some advance in the price of admission. But the managers were +injudicious in their mode of proposing the innovation, of resisting the +clamours of the audience, and of yielding piecemeal to their demands. +Prejudice and hissing became clamour; clamour was soon exasperated into +riot; and riot, when headed by Mr. Clifford,[68] a Roman Catholic lawyer +of considerable name, seemed likely, in the apprehension of many, to +swell into political sedition, and become the prelude or instrument +of more mischief than disturbing a play or keeping down the price of +theatrical exhibitions.[69] + +The apprehension was groundless; though it must be acknowledged that +the pretension of affixing a price to anything by popular clamour was +one of fearful example, and Mr. Clifford was a man capable, both from +temper and talents, of harbouring and executing very mischievous designs. +Impatience of the unjust disabilities under which his sect labours +had reconciled him to violent opinions in politics; and unrestrained +habits of intemperance had inflamed the malignity of a disposition not +originally amiable, without impairing the very acute perceptions and +strong intellect with which Nature had endowed him. He was, however, +pacified by the submission of the managers, seemed to bear his triumph +meekly, and if he entertained any project of engrafting further designs +on the popularity to which he had raised himself, he did not live to +develop them. The drams, which were unable to extinguish his spirit or +drown his reason, undermined his bodily constitution, and brought him in +the middle of life and in possession of all his faculties to an untimely +grave soon after the unenviable distinction he had obtained. + +If in the unprofitable career of such men moralists may find a warning +against the indulgence of sensual or malignant passions, legislators +and statesmen may learn the impolicy of converting by laws of exclusion +those faculties, which in the service of the State might improve the +happiness and raise the glory of the country, into engines of torment +to the possessors, and of mischief to the Commonwealth. This incident +(which was called O.P., or Old Prices) probably suggested to many minds +the necessity of another theatre, and thereby facilitated the completion +of an undertaking in which I was soon afterwards subordinately engaged, +_viz._, the rebuilding of Drury Lane Play-house, and procuring an Act of +Parliament to constitute the subscribers a Joint Stock Company for that +purpose. + +At the close of this year, 1810, the disorder to which the King had +been frequently subject recurred with such violence as to incapacitate +him from discharging the functions of his situation, and ultimately to +become confirmed insanity without any hope of recovery. In preserving +some facts connected with his complaint, and in making some remarks on +his character, I trust to the reports of others rather than to my own +personal observation. My direct intercourse with George III. was very +slight, and chiefly confined to mere form and civility. He inherited from +his mother a scrofulous habit, which, when malignant, not unfrequently +terminates in madness. Such instances had, I believe, occurred in the +Saxe-Gotha family, from which Frederick, Prince of Wales, unfortunately +selected his consort. + +There was a story current, that a disposition to lunacy was apprehended +in the King’s illness of 1765. Letters from the King soon afterwards, +speaking of medical injunctions to him to abstain from business,[70] +and a passage in Smollett’s _Continuation_, mysteriously worded and yet +more mysteriously cancelled in most but not all the copies, give, it is +said, some colour to the report. If his son’s account of his behaviour +in the riots of 1780 and at the dissolution of Lord North’s Ministry +can be credited, strong symptoms of derangement appeared on both those +occasions. He announced, on both, a design of retiring to Hanover. +Disgust at the scenes of 1780, and chagrin at the events of 1782, might +indeed, in both instances, rationally account for so hasty a resolution; +but the disproportionate earnestness about trifles, especially the +liveries of his servants when he should arrive in Germany (circumstances +which I have heard His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales describe +with more vivacity than filial grace), could hardly be reconciled with +the possession of a sound judgment. Throughout life his manner was +hurried, his conversation on indifferent subjects rapid and incoherent, +on persons detracting and malicious. When constrained to business he +was clear and decisive; but he often betrayed the narrowest prejudices +on things and that constitutional suspicion of mankind which is so +frequent a concomitant of a disordered understanding. Mr. Fox, in his +first interview with the King, remarked that he had a “very mad look in +his eyes.” They were without question singularly unsteady, through their +extreme short-sightedness, and the continued see-saw motion of his body +seemed to account for that defect. In the Coalition Administration his +conduct in Cabinet was one day so strange that on his leaving the room, +which he did with levity and abruptness, Lord John Cavendish observed, +“His Majesty is certainly wrong in the upper story.”[71] + +In 1788 a positive derangement of intellect was discovered and +acknowledged. Since that period he had two very decided relapses, and +perhaps he was never afterwards entirely free from occasional aberrations +of mind, though they were sufficiently controlled to escape the notice +of the public and the interference of Ministers. The recollection of +his first illness and the dread of its return gave for some time great +ascendancy to those about him, and combined with his alarm at the +French Revolution to render him accommodating and even submissive to +Mr. Pitt for many years. But when the secession seemed to disband the +party whom he dreaded, George III. insensibly reverted to his early +habits of intrigue and duplicity, thwarted many little projects of his +ostensible Ministers, fortified subordinate agents in their hostility +to others, and finally drove his confidential servants to resign by a +passionate and obstinate resistance to a measure long in contemplation +and of great national importance.[72] No sooner had he released himself +from the constraint of Mr. Pitt’s Administration than a virulent attack +of his disorder occurred. The appointments necessary to complete the new +Ministry were suspended for some weeks in consequence of his incapacity, +and Lord Chancellor Rosslyn had the hardihood to make him sign a +Commission to pass the Brown Bread Bill while he was actually under the +control of keepers. His relapses afterwards were frequent. Lord Sidmouth +has more than once acknowledged to me, that the uncertainty of the King’s +health was his chief, if not only, motive for resigning in 1804, and not +facing the coalition of Fox, Pitt, and Grenville, which, had he remained +in office, would have speedily ensued. + +In 1806 the King was kept on his good behaviour by his fears of a +Ministry which he had considered as hostile to him and favourable to his +son. He confined himself strictly to business, and indeed his intercourse +with all of us was so rare that it could not be difficult for him to +suppress any morbid delusion during the few hours, which once in the +course of a fortnight he allotted to audiences of the members of his +Cabinet. The gentleman who conducted his correspondence was Colonel +Taylor,[73] a man of discretion and judgment, who had many obvious and +possibly some secret (though not dishonourable) motives for concealing +any infirmity of the kind. For myself, in my last, and indeed only, +audience, when I delivered up the Privy Seal, His Majesty was so hurried +that I felt it a relief to quit the room. I will not say that his +conversation denoted madness, but certainly the subsequent insanity of +any man, who had spoken in the way and with the gestures he then did, +could never have surprised me. + +In the autumn of 1810 the approaching death of Princess Amelia deeply +afflicted him. That affliction was followed by a paroxysm which +terminated in confirmed insanity. It was an affecting coincidence, that +the dawn of his reviving reason in 1788 had been marked by the strong +emotions of natural affection at the accidental sight of the very +daughter whose illness occasioned this last and fatal relapse. She was +said to be his favourite child; but he had much tenderness for all his +daughters, as well [as] for the Duke of York, and perhaps the Duke of +Cambridge: he had little, if any, for his other children. In the early +part of his reign he had shown himself harsh, unkind, and vindictive to +his brothers. He was cold, jealous, and unjust to the Prince of Wales in +his childhood; distant and suspicious ever afterwards. + +In general his virtues were not of an engaging nor his endowments of a +dazzling character. He had a bad opinion of mankind, a contracted but +by no means a feeble view of every subject. With a nature so little +attractive, without one brilliant qualification, and during a reign +marked by disasters, how did he contrive to win the affections of many +and popularity with the great mass of his subjects? After due allowance +be made for the childish love of Princes so prevalent in England, and +the systematic policy of the demagogues in vilifying Parliament rather +than the Crown, other causes must still be sought for to explain so +extraordinary a phenomenon. He said indeed himself, with as much contempt +for the public, but with more point, than was usual in his conversation: +“I have been the most unpopular and most popular King in England; but +I owed the first to my Minister, Lord Bute, and I owe the second to +my son, the Prince of Wales.” But there were other reasons. He was a +regular, decorous, church-going family man. The practice of the austerer +virtues was not to be imputed in him to any coldness of constitution. He +was of an amorous complexion, and many involuntary avowals made during +his derangements proved that his fidelity never arose from any blind +partiality to the personal charms of the Queen, but from a sense of duty +and propriety.[74] Whatever be the moral value of such self-denial, the +people of England were then, and, I believe, still are, disposed to pay +it full as much homage as it deserves in persons whose high stations +render it of difficult attainment and wholesome example. + +The King had, however, virtues of a higher order, great decision and +consistency and courage, both personal and political. He adhered firmly +to the principles of government that he approved, and he was steady in +the protection of those who supported him in them. He never lost sight of +his objects; and could he have found Ministers as firm or as obstinate +as himself, he would never have surrendered a measure, as he certainly +never changed an opinion. He said, indeed, to every American Minister +who was accredited to him, “I was the last man in England to acknowledge +your independence, and I will be the last to disturb it”; but if he ever +repented of his conduct, it was in submitting to that peace, not in +fomenting and persisting so long in the war. “As to the question,” says +he, in a letter to Mr. Fox, of August, 1783, “whether I wish to receive a +Minister from America, I certainly can never express its being agreeable +to me; indeed, I should think it wisest for both parties to have only +agents who can settle any matter of commerce; but so far I cannot help +adding, that I shall ever have a bad opinion of any Englishman who would +accept being an accredited Minister for that revolted State, which +certainly for years cannot establish a stable Government.”[75] + +He not only cherished obstinacy in himself, but admired and inculcated +it in others. In spite of his vaunted Christianity, he despised a man +who was not irreconcilable in his enmities as well as constant in his +friendships, and he exacted not only consistent conduct but an adherence +to the prejudices of education and family. This persuasion, combining +with a propensity common to all old men, led him in the latter end of his +life to estimate individuals by his recollection of the characters of +their fathers rather than by observation on theirs. He himself rigidly +conformed to the rule he expected in others. The absurd German notions +of birth, imbibed in childhood, recurred with double force upon his mind +in his old age. By them he regulated his sense of duty and his opinion +of men. He fortified his morbid prejudices against Roman Catholics by +a reference to the Protestant maxims of his House. He judged of the +fitness for high station by rank rather than by talent, and he hailed the +appointment of two Archbishops,[76] whom from their connections he called +_gentlemen_, as a triumph for the Church and a consolation to himself. +Descent from an early enemy or obscurity of birth were in his eyes such +offences, that, with the exception of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Addington, he +was seldom prevailed upon to pardon either, even in persons who were +subservient or necessary to his views. + +His conduct with respect to Hanover was irreproachable. He never diverted +the revenue of that country to any personal or British object; he never +sacrificed any British treasure or English objects to Hanoverian policy; +he never converted his distinct authority as Elector into the means of +thwarting an obnoxious Minister at home, or enforcing wishes which as +King of England he was compelled to conceal. His behaviour to Sir James +Craufurd and other Englishmen, who had broken their parole and escaped +from France, reflects much honour upon him; as Napoleon had furnished +examples of a less scrupulous policy, and the violence of the times, as +well as the temper of his Ministers, would have enabled him to follow +them without reproach or animadversion. “If a gentleman,” he observed, +“had derived indulgence from a promise, even to usurped authority, he was +bound in honour to abide by it, however illegal the original detention +or the conditions might be.” George III. adhered to this principle, and +would never receive any officer or English traveller who had violated it. +These are the two best traits I knew of him, and for that reason I have +faithfully recorded them.[77] + +To sum up his character: he was a man of principle, honest and anxious in +forming his rule of action, sagacious in the application and steady in +the observance of it; but then his views were narrow and mischievous, +his judgments warped, and his feelings illiberal. His distrust of mankind +made him deem insincerity necessary and justifiable. He practised +dissimulation, and in some few instances simulation likewise, without +scruple. If he had the heart of a courageous and the talents of a +dexterous or shrewd man, he wanted the enlarged understanding which +constitutes wisdom, as well as all elevation and refinement of sentiment +which shed so much lustre on rank. He was, too, a stranger to every +generous affection which renders a Prince either amiable or benevolent. +There was nothing great, nothing kind, nothing open, nothing graceful in +his character or manners. + +Those who look to the objects for which Governments are instituted must +pronounce him an inglorious, if not a pernicious, sovereign of a free +country; but more (and I fear they are not few) who contemplate the +preservation and perhaps the extension of the monarchical branch of our +Constitution more as the end than the means of public administration, +will, with some justice, regard George III. as a sensible man, and an +able, useful, and fortunate Prince. + + + + +INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE SECOND + + +The shock occasioned by the death of Princess Amelia, which occurred in +November, 1810, put an end to any hopes that may have existed of George +III.’s recovery. His intellect, already failing under the weight of +years, finally gave way, and it became necessary to appoint a Regent to +carry on the business of the country. The physicians still gave hopes +of ultimate recovery, and the Bill which Mr. Perceval presented to the +House of Commons was based on this supposition. The functions of the +Crown were to be placed temporarily in the hands of the Prince of Wales, +but subject to restrictions which would materially limit the scope of +his powers. The Prince consulted Lords Grey and Grenville in January, +1811, as to the written protest he was preparing for presentation to Mr. +Perceval; but already signs of disagreement began to appear between the +Regent and the party with whom he had habitually acted. A suggestion for +the reinstatement of the Duke of York as Commander-in-Chief received +scant encouragement from the two Lords; while the fact of its prompt +and favourable reception by the Ministers went far to reconcile the +Prince to his new advisers. The retention of the latter in office was +all-important to the Queen, and every ounce of influence which she +possessed over her son was thrown into the balance on their behalf. +Assisted by the doctors, she represented the state of the King’s health +as entirely dependent on the actions of the Regent. Certain it is that +the fear of in any way jeopardising the precarious existence of his +father weighed heavily with the Prince, when the time arrived (February +1, 1812) for the expiration of the restrictions. + +In Spain Wellington’s policy of masterly inaction had fulfilled its +purpose during the winter of 1810. It was impossible for Massena to +maintain his position in Portugal owing to the lack of local supplies, +and the English were able to resume the offensive after the arrival of +reinforcements from home. Some success was obtained by the French armies +in the south, where Soult captured Seville, laid siege to Cadiz, and +commenced his march northwards. He was checked, however, by the success +of General Graham over the besiegers of Cadiz, and returned to resume +the blockade of that town. The victories of Fuentes d’Onoro and Albuera +maintained the superiority of the English in the field; but owing to the +junction of Soult and Marmont (who had taken over Massena’s command) +during the autumn of 1811, it was not until early in 1812 that Wellington +was able to capture the fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos, and +secure his base in Portugal from the possibility of attack. + +In the north Napoleon was making vast preparations for bringing the +Czar to his senses, and revenging himself on him for the defection of +Russia from his commercial system—that favourite scheme of the French +Emperor for humbling the pride of Great Britain by injuring her commerce. +Prussia, now under the guidance of Count Hardenberg, maintained a +vacillating policy, and finally, through fear of standing alone, was +forced into a treaty with France whereby she was to furnish troops to +further Napoleon’s schemes. Austria was also driven to conclude a hollow +treaty of the same kind, and Russia was thus left alone to resist the +attack of the all-conquering despot. + +Much suffering and misery were rife among the lower classes in England +during the winter of 1811. Trade was at its lowest ebb. The effects of +Napoleon’s decrees against English commerce and the Orders in Council, +issued by the Cabinet as a means of retaliation, fell heavily on the +manufacturing districts. The United States, furious at the interference +with their carrying trade, forbade all commercial transactions with +England or France; and though the English Cabinet took steps to meet +their views by exempting them from the operation of the measure, the +American Government declared war in 1812. The Orders in Council were +repealed, through the efforts of Mr. Brougham, soon after Mr. Perceval’s +death; but the news reached the United States too late to prevent the +conflict. + +Lord Wellesley resigned his office of Foreign Secretary in February, +1812. The Prince Regent renewed his negotiations with the Whig party, +communicating with Lords Grey and Grenville by means of the Duke of York. +No result was arrived at, and Lord Castlereagh was appointed to succeed +Lord Wellesley. The whole question of the government of the country was, +however, shortly reopened. On May 11 Mr. Perceval, the Prime Minister, +was assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons by Bellingham, +a ruined merchant, of whose sanity there was great doubt. The Prince +Regent was now forced to decide finally to which party he would give +his confidence. Lord Holland gives a detailed account of the intrigues +and negotiations which took place at this time. Enough to mention here +that after communications with all parties, in which Lords Liverpool, +Wellesley, and Moira successively took a prominent part, the Prince +retained the Tory party in power, and gave Lord Liverpool full powers to +form an Administration on the same basis as that which had carried on the +business of the country up to the time of Mr. Perceval’s death. + + + + +BOOK THE SECOND + +1810 TO JUNE, 1812 + +N.B.—Written in 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821. Transcribed in 1824. + + +Lord Grenville, who lived near Windsor, had very early intelligence of +the King’s disorder; I think the Prince of Wales apprised him of the +character and probable duration of the complaint. It had been intended to +prorogue Parliament, which stood for November 1, but not for the dispatch +of business. The King was too ill to sign the Commission for that day, +and the two Houses on their meeting _adjourned_ for a fortnight, and +continued by successive adjournments to avoid the transaction of all +business till December 13. The physicians had in the meanwhile been +examined before the Privy Council, the report of the evidence had +been laid before the two Houses on November 29, and the news of the +King’s amendment and probable recovery was immediately afterwards very +sedulously and generally circulated. + +The Prince of Wales cautiously or scrupulously abstained from all +political concert with the Opposition, till official communications +should be made to him from Ministers or from Parliament. He pushed that +delicacy so far that he did not see Mr. Sheridan, who being to the full +as desirous of appearing, as of being, his adviser, was ludicrously +anxious to cancel so mortifying a circumstance. I was at some pains to +inform both Lord Grey and Lord Grenville of this circumstance, but it +made them more negligent of Mr. Sheridan. In every rational view of the +subject it should have furnished a fresh motive, as well as facilities, +for fixing him in their interests. The goodwill of a man, alike brilliant +in society and in Parliament and very formidable at Court, might have +been propitiated and perhaps purchased at a very cheap rate, without any +sacrifice of principle or any surrender of dignity. A word of cordiality, +a mark of confidence, or even the homage of outward civility would have +done it; Mr. Sheridan, apt to resent slights more than injuries, was, +with all his impatience of real obligations, very sensible of petty +kindnesses.[78] A small favour soothed his vanity, a great one offended +his pride. Incapable of gratitude, he was yet never hard to please. His +mortification at the Prince’s neglect would have rendered him more open +to little attentions. But Lord Grenville never saw him, and Lord Grey +was hardly civil to him when he did; the first, partly from a total want +of habits with him, and partly from a certain austerity of manners which +indisposed [him] to cultivate the society of dissolute men; the latter, +from an honest but somewhat over-charged disdain of all trickery and +artificial characters. + +If Mr. Sheridan regarded his interests only, he must have perceived that +favour with the Prince could alone promote them in a Ministry formed by +those two Lords. If, as is most probable, he was on this, as on other +occasions, swayed chiefly by his vanity, he must have panted for the +opportunity of gratifying it, by making those who had slighted him so +unmercifully feel his importance. When the Prince soon afterwards took +an avowed interest in the proceedings of Parliament, and communicated +to the two Lords his intention of employing them in the formation of +his Ministry, he resumed his usual habits with Mr. Sheridan. No attempt +to gain the confidence of the latter was even then made by Lord Grey or +Lord Grenville. The arrangement suggested by himself seemed to disprove +any sinister designs against the new Administration; yet it was coldly +received, and, I believe, peremptorily rejected by Lord Grenville. Before +the appointments were settled, and as if to relieve the new Government +from the painful necessity of excluding such abilities from their +Cabinet, Mr. Sheridan applied for the Secretaryship of Ireland. That +office would have removed him during the greater part of the year from +London. It bespoke, consequently, no premeditated design of securing +by assiduity that much-dreaded ascendancy over the mind of the Prince, +which, when admitted to his society, his long intimacy, delightful +conversation, and exquisite wit, ever subservient to his purposes, +enabled him to assume. There were indeed other and grave objections to +the appointment. Perhaps they were insurmountable. But Lord Grenville +and Lord Grey showed upon that and every other occasion a repugnance to +consult or to court him, and possibly a disinclination to serve him, +which he was too keen-sighted not to perceive and too vain not to resent. + +I have related these circumstances somewhat out of the order of time, +that I may not interrupt my narrative of events, which flowed from them +but did not occur till a later period. Lord Grey did not conceal his +chagrin at the inaction of the Prince during the first six weeks of his +father’s incapacity. In the only audience I had with the Prince of Wales, +he told me that he wished to avoid all reproach, but adhered firmly to +his opinions of 1788. He let me see, however, that meddling tale-bearers +had reported incautious expressions of Lord Grey to him. He mentioned +him, nevertheless, with regard; and though he quoted a foolish song of +Captain Morris, in which Grey had been styled, “The youth who tossed +his head so high,” or some such phrase, he spoke of his impetuosity in +terms not inconsistent with kind intentions or even with friendship and +affection. Without saying anything positive, he was always very dexterous +in conveying an impression to those he talked with.[79] Mine on this +occasion was, that he would place his Government in the hands of the +Whigs, but that he would take his own time and way of doing it, and that +he had been nettled at the observations to which his delay had given +rise, or in which their impatience had indulged. + +An expression of Lord Grey had been officiously reported to the Prince +as a communication to him. “If,” said Lord Grey, “the Prince would but +hold up his finger, he would have everything his own way.” But the +Prince conveyed to him and to Lord Grenville, through Mr. Adam, his +determination not to see either of them. He hinted, at the same time, +that they might serve him, by asking questions in Parliament concerning +the steps taken by the Ministers to apprise him of the state of the +King’s health and of the public affairs. To Mr. Adair,[80] who had +injudiciously sought and obtained an audience, he spoke with acrimony +of the two Lords and of the late Administration (Lord Moira and myself +excepted). He seemed hurt at the impatience expressed at his supineness, +and said, “They think me a nervous man; by God! they shall find me an +_Homme de nerfs_,” with much that betrayed irritation and dislike. + +This was early in December. Lord Grey set off soon afterwards to Lady +Grey, who was brought to bed in Northumberland. The Prince began to speak +with less reserve of his resentment at Mr. Perceval’s conduct. Some +manœuvres, and among them the introduction of the Chancellor[81] to the +King as a _medical expedient_, practised by the Queen, the Ministers, and +the physicians, without any concert with the Prince, greatly exasperated +him. He now saw Mr. Sheridan frequently, and those connected with his +Household avowed their intention of voting against Mr. Perceval’s +resolutions. They no longer scrupled to consult with the Whigs on the +means of securing an attendance. Their efforts, however, did little +against the first resolutions, which related to the mode of supplying the +deficiency of the Regal power, and which were carried on December 20, +1810, by 269 to 157. + +In the debate Mr. Perceval displayed some talent and more spirit. +Several of the Grenville branch of Opposition, as well as Mr. Canning, +voted with Ministers; they both, however, announced an intention of +opposing some, if not all, the restrictions which Mr. Perceval meant to +impose. The reverence for a precedent from which Mr. Pitt had derived +popularity in 1788, together with some faint hopes of the King’s +recovery, outweighed the influence of Carlton House and the strong +objections to a clumsy and unconstitutional contrivance. The latter were +nevertheless enforced in an argumentative speech of Mr. Horner, which +remained unanswered in debate, and is not much weakened by the written +but unspoken oration attributed in _Cobbett’s Register_ to Mr. Croker. On +the same day Mr. Perceval apprised the Prince of Wales officially of his +intended motion. The Prince concerted his answer with Mr. Sheridan, and +the Princes of the Blood Royal signed and printed a sort of remonstrance +to the measure.[82] + +In the House of Lords, Lord Grenville supported the resolutions; Lord +Grey was absent. The management of the debate on the part of Opposition +fell on Lord Lansdowne and myself, and we flattered ourselves that the +constitutional objections to the strange proceeding resorted to were as +clearly stated and as forcibly urged in our speeches and protest as they +had been either in 1788 or in the House of Commons. For the learning +and research I was chiefly indebted to Mr. Allen, who, assisted by some +letters written by Doctor Lawrence and printed in _Cobbett’s Register_ +in 1803 and 1804, furnished me and Mr. Horner with many views of the +subject and precedents from our early history strictly in point, which +had escaped the researches of Lord Loughborough, Mr. Burke, and Mr. +Hargrave in 1788. + +The subsequent resolutions in favour of restricting the Prince Regent +were carried by smaller majorities. The House of Commons had been called +over. The prospect of the Prince’s accession to power grew more certain; +his hostility to Mr. Perceval more apparent. There were, therefore, +stronger motives for resisting the second than the first string of +resolutions. They passed, however, though by scanty majorities, such +as 24, 16, 19. The fifth resolution was amended in a particular of +some importance, on the motion of Lord Gower, by a majority of 13, +the Ministry voting in the minority. Nothing remarkable occurred in +the discussions. Lord Grenville’s friends did not deem it necessary +to sacrifice the views of the party and the substantial object of a +Government, founded on the principles they approved, to a pedantic, +technical, and almost superstitious reverence for his arguments of 1788; +when, if the question was the same, the circumstances of the country and +the reasons of State were entirely dissimilar. Mr. Sheridan was observed +to be neither brilliant in his oratory nor cordial or zealous in his +conduct. + +In the House of Lords, Lord Grenville allowed himself to be more harassed +by former opinions than was convenient to his party purposes, or indeed +at all necessary to the preservation of any reasonable or substantial +consistency. In deference to an ideal, prudish, and pedantic notion of +nominal rather than real consistency, he confined all his opposition to +particular words. He thus enabled Lord Liverpool, after the Committee +had, upon Lord Lansdowne’s motion, omitted the mention of restrictions +in the first resolution, in which Lord Grenville concurred, to reconcile +him to voting with Ministers on the other subsequent questions, by +moving himself to omit some few words to which Lord Grenville had taken +exception and having the whole in a shape which that Lord was pledged to +support. Lord Liverpool seized the moment and mode of accomplishing his +purpose with admirable quickness and dexterity; and as two peers, Lord +Ashburton,[83] from simplicity and blind reliance on Lord Grenville, and +Lord Auckland,[84] from a want of address truly unaccountable in so old +a politician, followed Lord Grenville’s vote and opinion against his +interests and his wishes, our small majority was lost. The resolutions +passed the Committee in a shape somewhat less consistent with themselves, +but sufficient to secure the objects of Mr. Perceval and the concurrence +of the House of Commons. + +On Committees no proxies are allowed; on the Report the Ministerialists +called for them, with a hope of reinstating the words which Lord +Lansdowne’s motion in the Committee had omitted. We determined to resist +the use of proxies. But our objections could not arise till they were +called for; they could not be called for till a division; and according +to parliamentary usage, at least in the Lords, no speech can be made and +no question put during a division. It followed that when our teller, +Lord Lauderdale, peremptorily refused to mark them, a scene of great +embarrassment ensued. We were like the characters in _The Critic_, at +a “deadlock.” The altercation and confusion increased, and I am afraid +I clenched my fist, and, upon a peer offering to rise, swore aloud +that, “By God, no man should speak!” At length one of the tellers, who +had alone the right to open their mouths, moved an adjournment during +pleasure, and on the House being resumed, the discussion on the propriety +of receiving proxies commenced. We insisted that none had been called +for in 1788. We had little else to allege in favour of our doctrine, for +the notion (however constitutional) that we were a Convention and not a +Parliament, was at variance with the recent decision of the House. + +Lord Stanhope,[85] however, drew a very ingenious inference from the form +of a proxy, which is grounded on “_the permission of our Lord the King, +that Session obtained_,” or some such words. He contended the privilege +could not be exerted in a case where it was manifest from the matter +in hand that the permission on which it rested could never have been +given. This argument, whether plausible or really sound, was sufficient +to satisfy what Lord Stanhope called “the Whig majority of Peers.” Those +present deserved that appellation, and proved that “_les absents ont +tort_,” by voting that the proxies, which would have placed them in a +minority, were inadmissible.[86] The resolution was, I think, tenable +and perhaps constitutional, but it was voted by persons who probably +did not require that recommendation to make it go down. Lord Stanhope, +delighted alike with the uproar and the success, embraced me with his +long arms as we went downstairs, and whispered in my ear, “This, my dear +_Citoyen_, is rare fun. If I could often have such nights as these, I +would live in the House of Lords: it is such high fun.” + +This was on January 4, 1811. On the 5th, Lord Liverpool moved back the +original words of the first resolution, and they were admitted without +a division. It was a singular coincidence that these debates, arising +from the lunacy of the King, were attended by another monarch who had +been deposed in substance, if not in form, for a similar calamity. The +King of Sweden[87] was under the Throne during the greater part of these +discussions. + +On January 6, in compliance with commands conveyed through Mr. Adam, +Lord Grenville had an audience of the Prince of Wales at Carlton House. +His Royal Highness began by informing him that he must consider the +communication as made jointly to him and to Lord Grey, the latter +unluckily being not yet returned from Northumberland. His immediate +object was advice how to frame an answer to the address which would +shortly be presented to him by both Houses. He then spoke with much +apparent feeling of the embarrassments of his own situation, adverted +to the difficulties of forming a strong Government for the conduct of +affairs in the House of Commons, condemned all exclusions of persons, +and after acknowledging some personal dislike of Mr. Canning and +glancing at the grounds of it, _viz._, his intimacy with the Princess, +he indicated the convenience and almost recommended a coalition with +him. He spoke more directly of his wish to reinstate the Duke of York, +and he conversed on public and foreign measures, in the judgment of Lord +Grenville, both ably and satisfactorily. There was sufficient concurrence +of opinion on these topics between him and Lord Grenville to remove all +apprehension of a separate will in the Court and the Ministry, should the +Whigs possess the latter. + +At the close of the conversation he directed Lord Grenville to consult +with Lord Grey and Lord Moira, and referred to him and to them the +propriety of forming a new Administration and the consideration of the +means of completing it; adding, that he hoped all their arrangements +might be prepared by the time he assumed the functions of Regent under +the authority of the Act of Parliament. Lord Grenville, after stating +generally his view of public affairs, declined entering into the details +of arrangements till further communication with Lord Grey and those of +his friends immediately conversant with the House of Commons; he deemed +it, however, an act of fairness and duty to state explicitly his views +of one subject, on which the Prince of Wales had dwelt with so much +emotion and honourable feeling—the reinstatement of the Duke of York. He +deplored, he said, the treatment the Duke had met with; he had almost +said, could such an expression be pardoned, that he felt compassion for +him, for he had been, in his judgment, misrepresented and slandered. But +notwithstanding the concurrence of many of his best friends in this view +of what had passed, he feared that the obstacles to the reinstatement of +the Duke of York, arising from the temper of the House of Commons and +from the prejudices and opinions of the great body of the public, and of +the Whigs more especially, were quite insurmountable. He would cheerfully +consult with others on that subject, and certainly with an earnest desire +to further His Royal Highness’s wishes, but he could not conceal from him +that he had little hope of finding it practicable to reinstate the Duke +of York as Commander-in-Chief. + +Such was the substance of that conversation as related to me by Lord +Grenville himself. He lost no time in communicating the result of this +audience to his friends in town; and I endeavoured on that occasion to +impress on his mind the necessity of prosecuting the Spanish war, and the +propriety of discountenancing by some legislative acts the disposition, +too prevalent in our Courts, of harassing and if possible crushing the +liberty of the press. These were the two points on which I thought our +leading Whigs of that day stood most in need of admonition, and I believe +Mr. Horner and Sir Samuel Romilly agreed with me. + +On Wednesday, January 9, Lord Grey arrived in London. The Prince saw +him next day, and was yet more communicative than he had been with Lord +Grenville. The result, on the subject of the Duke of York, was nearly +the same. When the Prince of Wales suggested that the accession of Mr. +Canning would strengthen his new Government in the House of Commons, Lord +Grey, ever artless, open, and manly, exposed the impolicy of weakening +the attachment of old friends by a precarious connection with new or +doubtful ones. The Prince, either designedly or accidentally, touched +on a subject of some embarrassment—Lord Grenville’s auditorship.[88] He +hinted at the difficulty or even impossibility of uniting it again with +the Treasury. He very pertinently remarked that Lord Grenville’s recent +correspondence with Mr. Perceval, in which he had scrupled to draw an +order for the issue of monies upon a warrant from the Treasury, added to +the embarrassment, by showing that one of these offices was in certain +cases a check upon the other. + +Lord Grey and Lord Grenville drew up without delay an answer to the two +Houses, which was to be delivered on the 11th. The draft arrived at +Carlton House as the Prince was sitting down to dinner on the 10th, and, +as ill-fortune would have it, Mr. Sheridan dined with him on that day. +The paper became the topic of conversation and criticism after dinner. +According to the report of Mr. Adam, who was present, Mr. Sheridan +inveighed against the substance and ridiculed both the composition and +the authors, till the Prince swore he would not send it and requested +Mr. Sheridan to alter it or to frame a new one. He seized with great +avidity and emphatically approved of a remark made by that gentleman, for +which, to say the truth, there was some foundation. “It was impossible,” +said Sheridan, “for a man who, like Lord Grenville, had voted for the +first resolutions and even for some of the most offensive restrictions, +to frame such an answer as would suit a Prince who wished to convey his +unequivocal disapprobation of both.” The Prince sent back the paper with +many alterations and comments, and much underlined; and he directed the +two Lords to improve the form, but to incorporate the substance of his +interlineations and remarks into the answer. + +In the meanwhile, or rather at the same moment, Mr. Adam brought this +account to Lord Grey at my house in Pall Mall.[89] He related with some +asperity the behaviour of Mr. Sheridan, who shortly afterwards followed +him. Lord Grey, with great dignity but with much propriety and good +temper, observing that it was impossible for him or Lord Grenville to be +responsible for sentiments they had not written, drove off to Camelford +House. Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Adam, flushed with wine and irritated by +dispute, argued the question over again with considerable warmth. Mr. +Sheridan at first alleged that he did not know that the two Lords had +been directly and exclusively entrusted to draw up the paper; but Mr. +Adam contended, and indeed proved, that Mr. Sheridan was fully aware +of it. Mr. Sheridan then maintained, with some plausibility, that till +they were actually Ministers they were not technically in a responsible +situation, and that Lord Grenville’s circumstances not only did not +confer an exclusive right to advise on such a subject, but actually +disqualified him from doing so with effect or propriety. The two +Lords withdrew their paper, and one of Mr. Sheridan’s composition was +delivered. It expressed strongly enough, but not very happily either +in thought or in language, the Prince’s disapprobation of the late +proceedings. + +Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, not satisfied with barely withdrawing their +paper, deemed it more fair and honourable to explain, at this very early +stage of their official connection with the Prince Regent, their sense of +the indignity and inconvenience which might arise from the interference +of unauthorised advisers in transactions for which they should be +practically and constitutionally responsible. Such a declaration, however +open, was bold and injudicious; for it was not absolutely called for, +though it might be justified by the occasion. Yet had they explained +themselves in an audience with the Prince Regent, the firmness of their +tone and the soundness of the principle they had to enforce might have +produced some salutary impression on His Royal Highness: though they +could hardly have prevented occasional recurrence of such events with +a Prince of natural levity, whose habits were formed to very familiar +intercourse not only with Mr. Sheridan but with many persons much further +removed from the character and capacity of ostensible advisers. But the +passion for pen and ink was strong upon Lord Grenville during the whole +of that season. It outweighed every other consideration. The two Lords +sent a laboured remonstrance to the Prince, in which he was taken to task +for his conduct. The respective duties of a Minister who advises and of a +Prince who is advised were expounded in a manner highly constitutional, +but not withal very conciliatory from two statesmen on the eve of their +appointment. + +There can be little doubt that the first use made of this paper was to +show it to Mr. Sheridan. There can be as little that he, sore at the +whole transaction, bitterly ridiculed the performance, and laboured to +affix on the authors of it the design of riding the Prince with a sharp +curb and stinging lash which they had not even the caution to conceal +till they had reached the saddle. “He antedates the hatred due to power,” +said Pope to Lord Cobham; and the same thought was applied in fifty +different ways to his relation Lord Grenville by Mr. Sheridan, who, in +venting his resentment on this unlucky affair, gave an impression of the +haughty demeanour of the two Whig Lords which he could never afterwards +efface from the mind of the Regent. He wrote a long narrative of what +passed in a letter to me.[90] + +I have dwelt more on this occurrence, because I am persuaded that it +indisposed the Regent’s mind, and had a great effect in determining his +subsequent conduct. He professed himself, however, so anxious to remove +all misunderstanding that he condescended to come to me in the gout and +to explain for near three hours at my couch side in Pall Mall the whole +proceeding. He assured me that he looked forward with eagerness to the +two Lords completing their arrangements; and that he was satisfied that +on nothing, except the answer regarding the restrictions, he should ever +wish to consult with anybody but Lord Grenville and those with whom he +acted. Notwithstanding these assurances, there is reason to suspect that +he complained of the two Lords to others besides Mr. Sheridan, for Lord +Yarmouth[91] made some significant remarks on their imagining themselves +more necessary to the Regent than they really were. + +The difficulties in forming a Ministry were great. The Grenvilles desired +to negotiate with Mr. Canning; others of our party, and Mr. Whitbread +in particular, would never have been brought to consent to it. Lord +Grenville was also unwilling either to resign his auditorship or to +relinquish the Treasury. In the course of discussion on the latter point +his evil genius dipped him again in pen and ink, and he argued for his +profits and places in a manner which, though neither unreasonable nor +unnatural, was more becoming a merchant than a statesman aspiring to +power and fame. Such a man should consider even fair-earned emolument as +a secondary and sometimes an incompatible object. Mr. Whitbread was not +less stubborn or less offensive in his resistance to any union, direct +or indirect, of the two offices. He acknowledged all danger from such a +measure, either in itself or as a precedent, to be a mere chimera; he did +not even dwell much on the violation of constitutional principle which it +seemed to involve. The practical advantage of a Whig Administration, he +owned, far outweighed all such considerations; but he had, it seemed, in +public and private, held language on this and similar topics, which would +expose him to the charge of inconsistency, should he acquiesce in any +such arrangements. Having put a question, he said, the year before, to +Mr. Perceval, whether Mr. Yorke received his salary as teller while First +Lord of the Admiralty, and having been answered in the negative, he could +never bring himself to defend Lord Grenville’s receiving the salary of +auditor while he was First Lord of the Treasury. + +After the matter had been discussed among us with great pertinacity and +some asperity on both sides, it was at last compromised, I know not +how, by the two Lords. Other difficulties in the distribution of places +no doubt occurred, but many I have forgotten, and many never reached me. +Gout continued to confine me to my bed for some time. Lord Grey acted +throughout with judgment, temper, and firmness: he gave no reasonable +cause of dissatisfaction to recent and younger partisans; he conciliated +and gratified the old friends of Mr. Fox. + +I had some scruples about the Spanish war. Lord Grenville, from economy, +Lord Grey, from a propensity to criticise military movements, were +disposed to contemplate it with less hope, and possibly with less zeal, +than myself. But as they agreed on the immediate necessity of supplying +Lord Wellington’s army with reinforcements and vigorously supporting the +plans in which he was engaged, I saw no reason for reviving the shades +of difference we might have had on the origin or early progress of the +war, nor for exacting a previous concurrence of opinion in certain +contingencies which had not yet occurred. I was willing to take my chance +of the zeal which the conduct and management of the war would inevitably +have inspired in such ardent and sanguine minds as Lord Grey’s and Mr. +Whitbread’s. + +While, however, delays occurred in forming a new Ministry, those in +possession did not remain inactive. Favoured by the Queen, and aided by +at least one of the physicians, they worked with great assiduity and +address on the affections, the fear, the vanity, and, some say, the +pecuniary interests of the Prince of Wales. At one time, the King’s +disorder had taken a new turn, seemed to hold out great hopes of a speedy +recovery, or was likely to terminate ere long in a restoration of his +intellect or in death. At another, the pressure of public business +called for a stable Government, and the financial operations of the +State could not be conducted with safety or advantage till the persons +entrusted with the confidence of the executive Government were known. +The effect of a clamour against Roman Catholics, the popularity which +Mr. Perceval might give to the Princess, the consequences of any change +on the King’s health, and, above all, the reproaches to which the Prince +would thereupon be exposed, were artfully insinuated by the partisans +of the Ministers and the Queen, and perhaps really felt by others who +had more direct influence over his mind as well as the opportunity of +impressing their views in softer moments. The Minister was admitted to +the presence of the King, and the Queen wrote instantly an account of +the interview to her son. I was not allowed to copy the letter, but the +substance of it was as follows: “To assure her dearest son that she was +persuaded he would be highly gratified to hear that the King was improved +in health; that he had seen Mr. Perceval, who was much satisfied with +his whole appearance; that he had held a reasonable conversation, and +inquired with great interest about all that had been done; that he had +expressed himself with kindness towards the Prince, and pleased at his +conduct _pending the business_.” She added that she “avoided all delay in +conveying such agreeable information.” + +The Prince, though aware of the artifice, and even diverted at the formal +expression of, _pending the business_, which he shrewdly observed was +“no woman’s phrase, but a lawyer’s,” was nevertheless much agitated and +intimidated by the letter. Such fears were said to be improved upon by +Sir Henry Halford,[92] who repeated observations to the King, affected +to dread the consequences of any change of Ministers, not only on the +disorder, but on the life, of the King, and is much belied if he did +not convert his professional access to the Prince of Wales to purposes +purely political. The Duke of Cumberland observed in a letter, “Vaughan +(Sir Henry Halford) has behaved nobly by us all.” I cannot vouch for the +fact of his active interference, but accounts of it reached me through +channels worthy of credit, and they were generally believed. + +On January 21, 1811, Lord Grey and Lord Grenville informed the Prince +Regent by letter that they were ready to undertake the Government, but +advised him to institute a fresh inquiry into the state of the King’s +health; and if it should appear probable that His Majesty would be able +to resume the exercise of the Regal functions _within a few weeks_, then +and in that case, they recommended him not to change the Ministers; +though they disclaimed all approbation, much less adoption, of their +system of policy being implied from their recommendation, or from the +Prince Regent’s compliance with it by continuing them in office. If the +result of the inquiry was different, they then repeated their readiness +to submit without delay to the Prince Regent the appointments which they +should recommend to His Royal Highness. + +On the evening of the 25th, the Prince Regent, after stating to Lord +Moira, Lord Hutchinson, and Mr. Adam the agitation of his mind and +imploring them to do justice to his feelings, sent the two last to +Camelford House to inform Lord Grey and Lord Grenville that, in +consequence of the report of physicians and the probability of the King’s +recovery, he had resolved not to remove the Ministers; he expressed his +hopes that the two Lords would approve of his determination and his +sense of the disinterested as well as judicious advice they had given. +He afterwards saw them, Mr. Ponsonby, myself, and others; referred +his determination merely and exclusively to the report of the King’s +health, which, whether true or false, would, he said, subject him to +so much reproach if he did anything to aggravate his disorder, that he +must continue for a while with men whom he hated and despised. He then +proceeded to abuse them without measure, and in many particulars without +justice, declaring that he never had and never could “break bread” in +the house of any one of them. His public reception of Mr. Perceval with +the resolution of the two Houses was not only cold but offensive. When a +Privy Council was held at Carlton House and he took the oath of Regency, +the bust of Mr. Fox was ostentatiously displayed in the apartment. + +In his letter to Mr. Perceval announcing his determination to preserve +him in office, he pointedly declared that an apprehension of interfering +with the progress of his father’s recovery was the consideration which +_alone_ dictated that decision. He lamented the situation in which the +Regency Bill had placed him, said of it that it was most difficult to +reconcile it to the principles of the Constitution, and broadly hinted +throughout that nothing but peculiar circumstances could have brought +him to any communication or concert with men so obnoxious to him. They, +however, lacked some of that high and jealous honour which distinguished +Lord Grey, and were not so alive as Lord Grenville to the necessity of +preserving the constitutional relation of Prince and Ministry in all +its purity. Foreseeing the practical consequences of their temporary +continuance in office, they submitted without a murmur to the indignity +of being disavowed and reviled. They consoled themselves with the +prospect of riveting their power, either by intimidating or cajoling the +person who, in the first instance, conferred it upon them so ungraciously +and so reluctantly. + +Such seems to me the solution of their conduct. With respect to the +Prince Regent, I am inclined to believe that the motives he alleged had +really some weight in determining him, though some that he suppressed +had as much or more. Persons, indeed, have carried their refinement in +suspicion so far as to imagine that the Queen’s letter, the interviews +with Lord Grey and Lord Grenville and with their friends, and the +rudeness to Mr. Perceval, were all parts of a scheme, concerted like +the plot of a comedy with the Duke of Cumberland, the Lord Chancellor, +the Queen, and the Prince Regent; and that the resolution to connect +himself with those whom he affected to style his enemies was taken +very early, and produced by the high offers which Mr. Perceval made in +the arrangement for the Household, and by the suggestions which the +Royal Family, and even the mad King himself, were instructed to make +to him during the fortnight in which Lord Grey and Lord Grenville were +occupied in preparing a Ministry. Such duplicity is surely incredible, +especially as it would have been unnecessary. It is, however, true that +the old King’s wishes on one important point were urged by himself in an +interview with the Prince Regent, _viz._, on the reinstatement of the +Duke of York. The facility with which the Ministers engaged to comply +with that measure formed a strong contrast, in the mind of the Regent, +with the scruples and hesitations of Lord Grey and Lord Grenville on the +subject. + +Whether he ascribed the backwardness of the two Lords to want of will or +want of power, he drew, no doubt, an inference unfavourable to the Whigs, +as either from principle less compliant with the wishes of a Court, or +from the state of parties less capable of promoting them. The position +into which the Regent had cast himself, whether from design or accident, +was, while it lasted, peculiarly adapted to secure the gratification of +any personal object he had in view. One party was full of devices to +obtain his favour; the other, of forbearance not to forfeit it. This +did not escape the friends of the Duke of York; and Lord Lauderdale, +in particular, saw the advantage of the conjuncture for obtaining +his reinstatement. He urged that measure, which in all sincerity he +thought just and wise, with more warmth of friendship to the Duke than +consideration for the interests of the party to which he belonged. +He persuaded others, and perhaps himself, that by allowing it to be +accomplished during that intermediate state of Ministry and Opposition, +the Whigs might escape the unpopularity of doing it with the public and +the odium of resisting it with the Prince Regent. Mr. Sheridan, with more +shrewdness and pleasantry, advised the Regent to wait till his father’s +predicted recovery should enable him to resume his functions, and then to +urge _him_ to adopt the measure. + +The Duke of York behaved with dignity, delicacy, and propriety. He avowed +his hopes of ultimate reinstatement, but he deprecated so unpopular an +act at the commencement of his brother’s administration of affairs. +The Regent, however, urged by his family, encouraged by his Ministers, +prompted by his pride, and swayed by some generosity of affection, +replaced him. + +Lord Milton,[93] against the wishes of many of our party, moved an +address in censure of this step. He divided only 47. It must be +acknowledged that among that small number were to be found some of the +best names in the House of Commons. + +The impression made on the Regent by Lord Grenville’s reluctance, Mr. +Perceval’s cordial support, and Lord Milton’s open opposition, to a +measure vindicating the honour of his family and earnestly desired by +himself, was, no doubt, like that avowed by King William to the Duke +of Wharton. “After all,” said King William, “the Tories are the best +Ministers for a King.” “Yes,” replied the Duke, “but Your Majesty is not +King of the Tories.”[94] It was the endeavour of Mr. Perceval to preclude +the application of such a reply, and to make the Regent as much King of +the Tories as of the Whigs; and in that endeavour he signally succeeded. +The Regent kept up for some time his usual habits of private intercourse +with members of the Opposition. He dined at Lord Grey’s upon his own +invitation. He there authorised Lord Hutchinson to insinuate his good +wishes, if not actually to use his name, in canvassing the Irish Peerage +in favour of Lord Leitrim, the Whig candidate for a representative seat +in the House of Lords, then vacant. His situation, as it respected our +party, was indeed most anomalous. When he avowed any hostility to his +ostensible Ministers, we were bound by the fundamental principles of our +party to condemn his conduct as unconstitutional; when he betrayed any +approbation of them, we were not backward in stigmatising his conduct +as unsteady, insincere, and deceitful to us. Such a state of things +could not last, and his cordiality with the Whigs, whether real or +affected in the outset, visibly declined during the summer. I have been +prolix in relating the facts, and rigidly scrupulous in conveying my +impression of the motives of the Prince Regent, because I am satisfied +that his character will be judged by posterity, or at least that portion +of posterity which forms the future political circle of England, with +reference to his conduct during this period of his life. + +A letter from General FitzPatrick[95] to his brother Lord Ossory proves +that experienced observers formed upon the same data a different +judgment, and as it is more favourable to His Royal Highness than my own, +I subjoin it, that his reputation may have the benefit of so indulgent +a testimony from a man of acknowledged sagacity and honour, accurately +informed, and not swayed by any prepossession in his favour. + + _Thursday._ + + DEAR BROTHER, + + I have had two very long audiences at Carlton House, and have + consequently been let into the minute details of _all_ that + has passed, as well as _all_ the letters, papers, etc., that + have been written in the course of the transactions that have + preceded the Prince’s final determination not to make any + change in the Government. Much as I was prepossessed that + his decision had been wrong, both with respect to his own + character, to the public interests, and towards the persons + to whom he had given his confidence, I must confess that he + has succeeded in convincing me that under the very particular + and unexampled difficulties of his situation, he has adopted + the only line of conduct he possibly could, without exposing + himself to the most odious imputations of destroying the + sanguine hopes of his father’s recovery and even endangering + his life, in order to establish an inefficient and feeble + Government, probably of very short duration, and of no power to + act with any real advantage to the public interests, or to face + or struggle with any of the difficulties which threaten the + security of the _chose publique_ from all quarters. In taking + this resolution, however, though he cannot be justly charged + with having departed from the rules of honour or _bonne foi_, + it is certainly unfortunate for himself that he did not make a + more early communication of it to those to whom he had given + his confidence, as it throws upon his conduct the appearance + of weakness, unsteadiness, and failure in point of firmness, + to which many will be more inclined to ascribe it than to the + motives of filial duty and affection upon which he himself + entirely founds it. This decision they themselves (I mean the + two G.G.’s)[96] had recommended at an earlier period in case of + a prospect of speedy recovery: and that case is now represented + to the Prince to be arrived. Upon the whole, however, it is + evident that he is the victim of a Court intrigue, managed by + the Queen and the Ladies of Windsor, a treacherous brother—the + D. of C.,[97] and an intriguing, meddling physician. + + He is, in his present temper, as much indisposed and, in his + heart, as adverse to his Ministers as possible; but how long + this disposition may endure is somewhat doubtful, for if the + King be really so far recovered as to become an actor in the + conspiracy himself, he will be as tractable as they can wish + him. If you are inclined not to give him credit for all the + filial piety he professes, his anxiety to do what his father + will approve is (whether through fear or affection) excessive. + He is already in the full conviction that the King, having + been made acquainted with the state of things, has expressed + his perfect reliance upon the Prince of Wales doing whatever + is most right and proper in his situation. I believe all the + physicians do sincerely think the recovery probable, though + perhaps not, as Halford has said, highly so in _three months_; + but surely it does appear most strange that the Chancellor and + Perceval should be permitted to see and talk upon business + with him, and one of the physicians hold an intercourse upon + politics with him, when he is not sufficiently recovered to be + allowed to see the Queen or any one of his family. The leaders + of Opposition suppress their disappointment (if they feel any), + as becomes them. As to the number of guests who were invited + and ready to fall to with craving appetites, it is natural + they should feel a little as Sancho did upon the physicians + ordering every dish to be removed from the table. As none of + the feast would have come to my share, I could, of course, feel + no disappointment. You do me justice in believing that I needed + no great stock of philosophy to be contented with _otium_ + even _sine dignitate_, excepting that of closing my political + career—what the course of my life seemed little to have fitted + me for an independent Knight of the Shire[98] in the House of + Commons. My love to all your house. I rejoice to hear V. S.[99] + is going on well. + + Yours affectly. + + R. F. + +General Fitzpatrick had refused all office on the ground of his declining +health. He retained his good sense and pleasant conversation, but he +suspected that the vigour of his mind was somewhat impaired. The above +letter certainly betrays a facility of belief in the professions of the +great, for which in his more active days he was by no means remarkable. + +I now return to the events of Parliament in the Session of 1811. + +A circular letter was written by Mr. Secretary Pole[100] to the +magistrates of Ireland, requiring them to arrest and commit to prison +such persons as had published any notice for electing any delegate or +representative to a Catholic Convention, styled in the said circular, +in virtue of an Irish Act of 33 Geo. III., an unlawful assembly.[101] +The Act, however, authorised no such proceeding, though it made electing +such a Convention, or voting in it, a misdemeanour. The doctrine and +practice inculcated and recommended in this circular raised many of those +questions which were afterwards more ably urged and better understood, in +1817, on the motion of Lord Grey on the circular of Lord Sidmouth. The +legal part of the question was touched upon in our debates, but I was +not sufficiently informed or confident enough in my own opinion to do +it full justice. However, I entered a short protest on the Journals, in +which the power of a magistrate to hold to bail for a misdemeanour, which +does not amount to a breach of the peace, is peremptorily denied. It is +not printed in the Registers, but it was approved of by that cautious +lawyer, Sir Arthur Pigott; and Lord Chancellor Eldon acknowledged to me +in private that the law of Secretary Pole’s letter was indefensible, and +he even called it “_slovenly_” on his legs. + +There was in the measure some appearance of a design to involve the +Government of the Regent as soon as possible in an altercation with +the Roman Catholic body, but Mr. Wellesley Pole was not likely to be a +party to such a design; and as the most anti-Catholic members of the +Administration disdained all previous knowledge of the proceeding, it +is reasonable to infer that such a suspicion, though plausible, was not +justified by the fact. + +During the greater part of the Session of Parliament I was employed in a +Committee to inquire into the circumstances of the death of one _Culver_, +a debtor, in the Marshalsea prison. There were strong suspicions that the +wretched man had been starved to death. The evidence given before our +Committee was so indistinct and contradictory that we could not agree on +a report; and the mere evidence which we did report did not lead to any +further Parliamentary proceeding, either in the treatment of the deceased +prisoner or the conduct of the Coroner’s jury. The exposure, however, of +the state of the prison, which was in ruin, and where persons convicted +of the most disgusting offences were associated with the unfortunate +debtors during the day and then shut up with one another during the +night, led no doubt to the speedy completion of a new prison. Such a +building had been declared necessary many years before, but more progress +was made in the course of the ensuing twelve months than in twelve years +preceding the inquiry. + +As some prospect of a change of Ministry still existed, I was anxious +to pledge myself, and such others as were willing to support me, to +some revision of the proceedings in cases of libel. The _ex officio_ +informations[102] are indefensible in reason and very liable to abuse. +If the Whigs obtained the Ministry, I thought they might, and I was +sure they ought to, regulate and perhaps to suppress them, according +to the original intention at the Revolution of 1688. When parties, +however, are in office, though they may be sincerely determined never +to abuse, they are seldom disposed voluntarily to surrender or curtail +any of their powers, unless in a manner compelled to do so by recent +declarations in favour of such reforms. I wished so to compel them. +As I had sat in Cabinet with Lord Ellenborough,[103] and, though not +blind to his defects, enjoyed his conversation in private society, and +respected some talents and many virtues in his public character, I hoped +and laboured, in moving for a return of the _ex officio_ informations, +to avoid every topic or even phrase which could irritate his temper, so +sore on everything that distantly approached a reflection on the practice +of his Court. I failed in my endeavours. He treated me with intolerable +rudeness, which I was obliged to repel with equal asperity and, I think, +with much greater success. + +We never afterwards had any altercation in public, and we both retained +a certain goodwill and respect for one another; but the language +which passed produced a degree of estrangement which, I believe, we +both lamented, but which we were both too proud to correct. He was a +man of an honest but violent temper, of profound rather than various +learning, of powerful but not persuasive eloquence, of strong but by no +means of enlarged understanding. If he was not quite so intrepid or so +inflexible as he would have had us believe, so neither was he so harsh +or ill-natured as he appeared. Sarcasms and invectives were always +on his lips; but they were the accidental effervescence of spleen, +impatience, or wit, not the sediments of malignity, from which his heart +was generally clear. One of his defects was a habit of complaining of the +insufficiency of his income and the narrowness of his circumstances. He +was never sparing of expense; and yet he has recently (I write in 1819) +left a considerable fortune, which proves his profits to have been not +only ample but splendid. + +Lord Sidmouth, to ingratiate himself with the Church, had introduced a +bill to deprive Dissenting Ministers of their exemption from serving in +the Militia, unless they could procure a certificate from respectable +householders belonging to their congregation. On the first notice I +sounded the alarm on the hazard of meddling with the Toleration Act. The +appeal was heard, and his Lordship’s bill, which was held in abhorrence +by the Methodists, served only to display the numbers and improve the +organisation of that powerful sect. For some days no places were to +be had in the stage coaches and diligences of the kingdom; all were +occupied with petitions to Parliament against the measure proposed by +Lord Sidmouth. On the day fixed for the debate such innumerable petitions +were presented by Lord Grey, Lord Erskine, Lord Stanhope, myself, and +others, that not only the table was filled, but the House was filled with +parchment. The peers could hardly get to the doors, the avenues were so +crowded with men of grave deportment and puritanical aspect; when there, +they had almost equal difficulty in gaining their seats, for loads of +parchment encumbered and obstructed their way to them. Lord Sidmouth, +with a bad grace, was obliged to yield. In the result, religious liberty +was a gainer. To pacify the alarms which had been raised and the passions +which had been excited, several important concessions were successively +granted in subsequent Sessions to the various Protestant Dissenters of +England. + +Many of their leading men came to thank me in person. All I requested +of them, in return, was to assist me in extending to any other class of +Dissenters the full enjoyment of their civil and political rights. They +promised they would do so; and when in 1812 and 1813 I claimed their +promise in favour of the Roman Catholic Dissenters, I found them as good +as their word. + +Parliament this year showed an inclination to discountenance flogging +in the Army. A clause to substitute at discretion imprisonment for that +degrading and cruel punishment was introduced into the Mutiny Bill. This +tardy and imperfect triumph of mercy over cruelty and of reason over +habit and prejudice was in a very great degree owing to the zealous and +disinterested exertions, though occasionally ill-timed, of Sir Francis +Burdett. He had, at all times, the great merit of feeling with sincerity +and expressing without fear great indignation and horror of all personal +cruelty and oppression. This and a sweetness of temper and manner were +his best, perhaps his only good, qualities in public life. In political +intercourse with individuals or parties he was, chiefly from facility, +little to be relied upon. His opinions, whenever they were intelligible, +were equally repugnant to reason and subversive of all free or, at +least, of all Parliamentary Government. He hated the Whigs and the +Revolution as much as the abuses in our representation, and more than any +prerogatives of the Crown; and would have reduced the functions of the +House of Commons, even if modelled to his theory of excellence, to the +two functions of granting money to the Crown and occasionally impeaching +a Minister for corrupt or illegal practices. + +The remainder of the Session was chiefly occupied with discussions on the +state of our circulation and questions relating to paper and bullion. +The merit of Mr. Horner in the investigation of this intricate subject, +and still more in his honest, zealous, and firm maintenance of those +principles which he was satisfied were sound, can hardly be appreciated, +now that the prejudices he had to contend with have expired, and the +truths he combated for have proved victorious upon experience and are +generally admitted as incontrovertible and even obvious.[104] So far was +this from being the case at the time, that his doctrines were deemed +theoretical and visionary, and his conduct impracticable, hazardous to +the country, and ruinous to himself. He seemed to sacrifice the fairest +objects of ambition, and to incur at the outset of his public life the +private enmity of large bodies of men and great unpopularity with the +public, by a patient, diligent, and determined inquiry into matters +which, little attractive in their nature, led him, as he well knew, to +conclusions unpalatable to powerful individuals as well as to the Bank +and the Government. He foresaw that his opinions on this subject must +lose him the seat in Parliament which he then held. + +Such was the repugnance felt at that time to doctrines now universally +approved, that I was assured by Lord Lansdowne that the borough of Calne +would hardly have chosen the Chairman of the Bullion Committee for their +representative, even if he had been supported by that recommendation to +which on all other occasions they have uniformly deferred. The dread of +the consequences of fair dealing and honesty, or rather the persuasion of +the convenience of paying for everything in fluctuating and depreciated +paper, was not confined to the vulgar. All the supporters of the war, +and some who, without approving its origin, profited by the spirit of +speculation to which its continuance gave occasion, were for preserving a +hazardous and dishonest system which, according to the fashionable jargon +of that day, afforded “such facilities to the operations of the State.” + +Lord King,[105] who thoroughly understood the whole subject of exchanges +and currency, devised a method by no means ill calculated to defeat +the system and disconcert its supporters. He determined to enforce +the strict letter of his leases, and call for the payment of rent in +the lawful coin of the kingdom. Injudiciously for his object, he sent +a circular to that purpose to his tenants, while Parliament was yet +sitting. The question was thus brought in the first instance before a +tribunal competent to make or alter the law, instead of one which had no +authority but to enforce it. Lord Stanhope, by some accident, obtained +very early intelligence of this proceeding. He was a zealous promoter of +the paper system, with views very different from those entertained or +professed by its other advocates. He was the first to call the attention +of Parliament to the consequences of Lord King’s demand on his tenants. +The bill he presented to the House of Lords, without actually declaring +banknotes legal tender, deprived the creditor, to whom they were offered +in payment, of all legal remedy whatever. The measure, though entirely +altered in form, received in substance the sanction of Parliament. Had +Lord King postponed his circular a few weeks longer, either two prices +would have been established in the markets, all the facilities, as they +were called, annihilated, or the Parliament would have been called upon +to interfere in the matter, in a case where no political object could +have been imputed to those who exacted their rights. + +[Illustration: _Peter, Lord King_ + +_J. Hoppner, R.A. Pinx._ + +_Emery Walker Ph. Sc._] + +Lord Chesterfield, a man of very large landed property, blindly attached +to the politics of the Court, but living in some measure in retirement +from it, was on the point of issuing a similar demand on his tenantry, +when Lord King’s operations brought the subject before the public. Lord +Stanhope, who had panegyrised the system of _assignats_ in France, very +consistently liked the banknotes in England; and when I told him that he +expected them to have the same effect in England, he whispered, with a +suppressed chuckle, in my ear: “And if they take property from the drones +and give it to the bees, where, my dear _Citoyen_, is the great harm of +that?” He had also invented an ingenious device for preventing forgeries. +He always delighted in the application of science to any political +purposes. The hopes of that experiment being adopted very possibly +inflamed his zeal in support of a paper currency. + +The Prince Regent (whether from real ignorance of the question, from +dread of unpopularity, or, as is most probable, from an incipient +disposition to court his Ministers and detach himself from Opposition, +I know not) disliked the prospect of any resumption of cash payments. +Though originally averse to the Spanish expeditions and perhaps to the +cause of the insurgents, who mixed too much of the froth, at least, +if not of the essence, of liberty in their productions to make them +palatable to princely appetites, he grew by degrees interested in the +war from the successes in Portugal and from the discussion of military +details and promotions, always delightful to Royal ears. + +This growing inclination to prosecute the war with vigour tended, +no doubt, to reconcile him to his Ministers in preference to their +opponents, though it failed to secure his support of Lord Wellesley in +his breach with his colleagues on that very subject. His conduct on +two affairs of less importance foreboded an approaching alteration in +his feelings towards public men, by indicating a disposition in him to +accommodate differences with those who were now his official Ministers, +but whom he had hitherto termed and thought his personal enemies. The +first was the Berkeley Peerage; the other, the claim of Mr. Palmer for +remuneration for the invention of mail coaches. + +The Prince of Wales had taken a strong interest in establishing the +validity of Lord Berkeley’s marriage; he had even promised him, before +his death, to indemnify his son for any unfavourable decision which might +occur, by conferring an earldom upon him whenever it should be in his +power.[106] When, however, the claim was heard, though he and the other +Royal Princes had been eager in the cause even to indecency, he gradually +became colder and colder; when it terminated in a decision[107] against +the marriage, he either did not venture or did not choose to renew any +promise to the lady or the young man. He was, however, fully justified, +perhaps he was really determined, by the detection of falsehoods in Lady +Berkeley’s testimony and the undeniable exposure of the badness of the +case. + +Such could not be his motive for withdrawing all his usual countenance +and promised support from Mr. Palmer. The claim of that gentleman, +containing an implied censure of Mr. Pitt, was always bitterly resisted +by that Minister’s adherents; but the Prince of Wales had warmly espoused +it, and had been active and eager in instigating Colonel Palmer to +prosecute it.[108] The claim itself, if not strictly and literally +just, was in my judgment irresistible on the honour and policy of the +country.[109] + +The shrewd in our party left Parliament in the summer of 1811 with +more apprehensions of the Prince Regent’s designs than confidence in +his late professions. If his resolution to exclude the Whigs from +office was not actually taken before the Session was closed, I have +good reason to believe that even then, or very shortly afterwards, he +harboured a project of dividing them, and forming a Ministry composed +indiscriminately of various parties in Parliament. There were reports, +very soon after the Prorogation, of a rupture between the Prince Regent +and Mr. Perceval, and of an endeavour on the part of the Prince to form +a Ministry through Lord Wellesley and Mr. Canning. I know not what, nor +indeed that anything, passed. + +There were, however, symptoms of a disposition in the Court to feel the +pulse of individuals in all parties. Mr. Sheridan during the recess saw +me frequently, and questioned me much whether the Duke of Bedford, +myself, and any old Foxite would be disposed to accept of high office in +a Government, in the formation of which Lord Grey and Lord Grenville were +not chiefly consulted. I discouraged all such projects. I cannot tell +how far they were suggestions of his own or concerted with the Prince +Regent. I told him explicitly that unless Lord Grey or Lord Grenville, as +the heads of our party, or Mr. Ponsonby, as leader of it in the House of +Commons, were sent to in the first instance, any offer to bring in the +Whigs would appear insidious; that I for one, and probably all men of +weight who professed attachment to the principles of Mr. Fox, would have +nothing to do with it in that shape. We could not and would not separate +from Lord Grenville, after his consistent and honourable conduct. Lord +Grey or our leader in the House of Commons were the only other channels +through which any offer could with propriety be conveyed to the party. +Lord Grey and Lord Grenville had been sent for and actually employed last +year. None but Mr. Ponsonby, with a view of confirming his authority in +the House of Commons and consulting him in the first instance on the +practicability of conducting the business in that assembly, could now +be sent for, without the appearance or indeed the reality of an affront +to the two Lords, whom the Prince Regent had so recently acknowledged +as the heads of the party and the men to whom, on a change, he intended +to entrust the management of public affairs. If, therefore, the Prince +Regent intended to form an Administration of his old friends the Whigs, +he would send directly to one of these three persons. Should he send for +any other member of the party, it would obviously indicate a design of +weakening the party he affected to favour. Such was the substance of my +answer in more than one conversation which Mr. Sheridan had sought with +me.[110] + +The Regent, or those immediately about him, had frequent conversations +on similar topics with Mr. Adam. Their art, or Mr. Adam’s own sanguine +nature, completely cajoled him. He was satisfied that an entire change at +the expiration of the restrictions was intended. He diligently laboured +to impress that conviction upon us all: first, from sincerely believing +and wishing it himself, and, secondly, with a view, which always led +him too far, of surmounting the difficulty immediately before him, and +getting the pecuniary arrangements connected with the Regency passed with +little opposition in the ensuing Session of Parliament. + +General Fox[111] died in the summer of 1811. He was a kind, affectionate, +and reasonable man, without brilliant talents or extraordinary +attainments, and with very bounded ambition; he had opinions on public +matters more favourable to freedom than is common in his profession, +and a stronger mind than his friends, or perhaps he himself, ever +suspected. His professional habits were formed in the school of Sir +Guy Carleton[112] and Lord Cornwallis, men who, whatever were their +military merits, deserve to be remembered as the first in our army who +systematically disclaimed for themselves and discountenanced in others +all jobs and embezzlement. + +I had at this time no intelligence of the war or of foreign negotiations +but such as Gazettes, Parliamentary papers, and common Journals supply. +I therefore abstain from relating the events in Spain, and the changes +which were gradually taking place in the politics of Russia during +the summer and autumn of 1811. I did, indeed, my utmost in private +correspondence with Spaniards to soften that jealousy which was +naturally, but unwisely and unjustly, felt at our interference.[113] + +In the meanwhile the retreat of Massena, though admirably conducted by +that General and by Ney, had justified the foresight and relieved the +embarrassments of Lord Wellington. Our prospects in the Peninsula were +improved. The forced exclusion of all British manufactures from the rest +of Europe (the _Continental System_, as it was called), imposed on Russia +by intimidation and by the ascendancy which Napoleon fondly imagined he +had personally acquired over Alexander, was so much at variance with +the interests both of nations and individuals, that even where the +Governments were cordially subservient to the views of France, they found +it impracticable to maintain so unnatural a policy. Alexander, who had +not had the courage to support the interests of his Empire against the +pretensions of France, began to discover that even “Autocracy” itself +would not enable him to execute treaties which he had been base enough to +sign against the obvious policy, wishes, and murmurs of his subjects. +The Russians themselves felt the ignominy of submitting to the dictates +of a foreign power, though willingly enforced by their Czar, when they +discovered that an obedience to those dictates would prevent the sale of +their produce and involve the proprietors of land in distress and ruin. + +It is singular that while the successful war in Spain and the rupture +between Russia and France—the two great sources of the subsequent +triumph over Napoleon—were opening themselves in 1811, the only English +Minister from whose sagacity either of them in any degree flowed +was gradually separating himself from his colleagues. This was Lord +Wellesley.[114] As Ambassador and Secretary of State he had given to +the councils of Spain and to our military exertions some statesmanlike +consistency of design. He had also, with no little dexterity, and (as I +have been assured) without consulting his colleagues, detached General +Bernadotte, then Crown Prince of Sweden, from his connection with +France;[115] he thereby ensured the co-operation of a power which might +have intimidated Russia from hostilities with Napoleon, and which did in +fact ultimately determine Alexander, when wavering and even yielding, +to persevere in resistance to the invaders. Some of his other projects, +such as a negotiation for peace with the Police Minister Fouché, and a +foolish scheme of rescuing King Ferdinand from his captivity by means +of an adventurer called Kolli,[116] were not equally fortunate or well +conceived. + +But whatever were the merits or the blemishes of his designs abroad, he +was at this time meditating a line of policy at home which would have +led to great changes in office—to a renewal of his connection with Mr. +Canning, and not improbably to a union between him and the Whigs in power +under the Prince Regent. He had more genius than prudence, more spirit +than principle, and manifestly despised his colleagues as much as they +dreaded him. Unlike most English politicians, he was rather a statesman +than a man of business, and more capable of doing extraordinary things +well than conducting ordinary transactions with safety or propriety. + +He was reported to have ingratiated himself during the summer with the +Prince Regent, and with the exception of an unqualified zeal in the +prosecution of the Spanish war, the natural growth of his early interest +in that contest, and of his connection with Lord Wellington, his opinions +on public questions seemed to smooth the way to a coalition with those +to whom His Royal Highness was expected to entrust the management of his +affairs.[117] When, however, he tendered his resignation early in 1812, +he discovered that an inclination to Whigs or to liberal policy was no +strong recommendation to the Prince Regent. He learnt with yet more +chagrin that his brother would not hazard a rupture with the Ministers, +even in support of the remonstrances which he (Lord Wellesley) had made, +if not at his instigation, at least on his behalf, for further succours +and supplies. I know not whether to blame or to commend him. A commander +on service is not lightly to lend himself to party in a struggle for +power at home. He may, nay, he must, prefer serving under those to whom +he is chiefly bound by affection and gratitude and those with whom he +cordially agrees and co-operates; but he must not make a national cause +subservient to their views of ambition at home, unless he thinks their +possession of power not only useful, but indispensably necessary, to its +maintenance and its success. + +Lord Wellington, therefore, on the turn of fortune in Spain, did right +not to sacrifice his own station and growing fame and the national +interest to the object of securing or replacing his brother in power, +even though that brother should have forfeited it by his zealous +exertions to minister to his glory abroad. Who shall blame him for not +hesitating between such important public considerations and his own +private affections? Possibly, however, Lord Wellesley, and certainly +his adherents, were hurt that so little was done by Lord Wellington to +avert the necessity of so painful an option. They significantly remarked +that the sacrifice was made with so very good a grace, as not only to +answer the calls of duty, but to suppress every symptom of pain or +reluctance in performing it. Lord Wellesley, to whose partiality and +affection his brother had been indebted for his promotion, fame, and +success, would have acquired, said his friends, if placed in a similar +predicament, the same praise of heroic duty, but it would have cost him +much more to obtain it. Whether such insinuations were well founded or +not, it is certain that after that period a coolness between the brothers +ensued, and it must be acknowledged that subsequent transactions will +not exonerate Lord Wellington of the charges of indifference or want of +feeling by proving such defects to be quite foreign to his character. + +Lord Wellesley treated Mr. Perceval and the other Ministers with manifest +scorn and contempt. In a subsequent altercation between him and Lord +Harrowby in the House of Lords, respecting the differences in Cabinet +while he remained among them, his superiority in wit, spirit, vigour, +and eloquence was most decisive. Yet when, on Lord Boringdon’s motion +for an efficient Administration, he was expected to vindicate his own +motives and conduct, and to explain at large his views of domestic and +foreign policy, though he had come down with mighty ostentation, dressed +and decorated, as his usage was, for the delivery of a great speech, +his nerves failed him entirely, and he allowed the question to go to +a division without uttering one word. So universal was the persuasion +that he was, on that day, to outdo himself, and so positive was the +expectation of his speaking, that some one, on the Chancellor’s return +from the House, asked, without the ceremony of a previous inquiry whether +he had spoken or not, “What was the style of Lord Wellesley’s speech?” “I +think in that of Tacitus,” replied Lord Eldon. + +He was, indeed, a most _uncertain_ speaker in every sense of the word. +After studiously announcing his intentions of speaking, and repeating his +views and arguments and illustrations in private to friend and to foe, +he not unfrequently sat silent. When he did rise, it was often doubtful +which side he would espouse, what topics he would select, and whether he +would treat them with ability and eloquence or lapse into frothy, trite, +and unmeaning declamation, or entangle himself in some metaphysical +disquisition which he was quite unequal to unravel or expound. His +allusions were more classical than apposite, and his language that of a +polite scholar even to a fault. His wit was elaborate and far-fetched, +but well and neatly executed. He was sometimes illogical, and I have +known him pompous, empty, and unsatisfactory. Yet there was a smack, +a fancy of greatness in all he did: and though in his speeches, his +manners, and his actions he was very open to ridicule, those who smiled +and even laughed could not despise him. + +He had tendered his resignation in January; it was not accepted till +March.[118] While he was yet nominally in office, and before the +restrictions on the Regency had expired, Mr. Perceval proposed the +Civil List and the regulation of the Household. The arrangement was +purposely complicated and infinitely more expensive to the country than +the circumstances justified, or than either the party who proposed or +the party who acquiesced in could sincerely approve. Mr. Tierney had +the honesty to say so, and perhaps had the shrewdness even then to +perceive what it now seems strange should have escaped the observation +of any man, that the sums granted for the Privy Purse and Household +were sufficient, not only to provide for the wants, but to purchase the +favour of the Prince Regent. Some semblance, however, of consistency and +honour was to be preserved. The Prince Regent was in a manner pledged, on +the expiration of the restrictions, to make some overture to the Whigs. +He was too well acquainted with the characters of the men with whom he +had to deal, and indeed too great an adept in that sort of game, not +to devise in a moment a method of making the offer, which secured its +rejection. He wrote the following letter to the Duke of York.[119]... + +Lord Grey and Lord Grenville requested twenty-four hours to consult their +friends, and to consider of the answer to the overture contained in the +letter above recited from the Prince Regent to the Duke of York. Lord +Lansdowne, Lord Lauderdale, Mr. Ponsonby, and myself met them at Mr. +Thomas Grenville’s, when they produced a written paper, the composition +of Lord Grenville, which they proposed to transmit to the Duke of York. +The overture contained in the letter to the Duke of York was, as the +reader must have perceived, in substance, nothing more than an invitation +to Lord Grey and Lord Grenville and some others recommended by them, +to accept office with an Administration whose measures and system they +had uniformly and strenuously opposed, and whose persons and behaviour +the Prince Regent himself, only a year before, had indecently reviled +in every company and affected to resent in a manner full as warm as any +indignity, purely political, could justify. + +The proposed answer was very decisive, but unnecessarily long. It was +unadvisedly explicit on every topic which had been artfully introduced +into the Prince Regent’s letter; in short, it was an elaborate manifesto +of the two Lords on all political questions on which they differed with +Ministers. It contained a sort of creed on the Spanish war, the Orders +in Council, the paper system, and the Roman Catholic claims, to which +none but their own friends, and not all of them, could implicitly have +subscribed. The Prince Regent’s letter was no doubt framed with a design +of provoking the two Lords to recapitulate opinions which the writer, +whoever he was, thought to be impracticable and knew to be unpopular. + +The prospect of their accession to power had been contemplated with +some apprehension by those who felt zealous in the cause and gratified +by the glories of the Spanish war. Such persons had been confirmed in +their apprehensions, by the very injudicious language of some of Lord +Grenville’s connections, as well as by enemies[120] who studiously +repeated such language and industriously circulated the report that the +first consequence of their elevation to power would be the recall of +every British soldier from the Peninsula. The notion of resuming cash +payments was, at that time, to the full as unpopular. Speculators, who +profited by a system of improvident dishonesty and lavish expenditure, +affected to regard the principles of the Bullion Committee[121] as +purely chimerical, and the statesmen who espoused them as sacrificing the +national prosperity to the theories of political economists. + +In their first sketch of an answer the two Lords fell into the snare +prepared for them. They avowed all these opinions so unpalatable to the +public, and they enforced them in an authoritative tone little calculated +to soothe or to convince. In the views insinuated about the Spanish +alliance and war, I for one could not have concurred. The unqualified +declaration of their principles respecting both our currency and trade, +though perfectly sound, seemed highly unreasonable; and the authoritative +tone in which they announced their views would have exposed them to the +censure of exacting an implicit compliance with all their opinions from +the Court and the public, at a time when both were avowedly desirous of +softening down differences, for the purpose of forming what is called +a strong, but often proves to be a very weak, Administration. Lord +Lansdowne, with his usual judgment, perceived the impolicy of so copious +a manifesto, and, with more than his usual energy, urged the necessity of +shortening the letter and confining the grounds of refusal to that which +formed the most obvious and insurmountable bar to a coalition between +Mr. Perceval and the Whigs, _viz._, their opposite views of the Roman +Catholic question and the system of government in Ireland. Accordingly +the following answer was drawn up and afterwards delivered by Lords Grey +and Grenville to the Duke of York....[122] + +The Duke of York took minutes of the conversation which occurred on the +two Lords delivering this answer in writing to him. He very candidly +submitted those minutes to their inspection, and they made such +explanations and comments on the Duke’s report of what they said, as +precluded the possibility of a misunderstanding. The Duke contended that +the letter was not an overture to them to form a part of Mr. Perceval’s +Administration, or even to coalesce with that gentleman as Minister, but +to concur in forming a new Administration on a broad basis; and he urged, +as a proof of his view of the subject, that he had been selected to +convey the communication, in order that the person so employed might not +be designated as the head of the new Administration. These distinctions, +immaterial in themselves, were set aside by Lord Grey observing that +the answer given was to the written statement which they had seen, and +if it should appear to the Prince Regent that they had misunderstood +the meaning of that paper, he might rectify the mistake. In the +meanwhile they adhered to their answer. Here ended the negotiation. Lord +Castlereagh was in a few days appointed Secretary of State in the place +of Lord Wellesley.[123] + +The answer of Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, and the tone and temper in +which it was conveyed, were very generally approved of. Many no doubt +rejoiced at so open a breach between them and the Prince Regent, and none +probably more than His Royal Highness himself. Yet friend and foe, Whig +and Tory, directly or indirectly acknowledged that to such an overture +no other answer could have been given with honour. The form was yet more +unobjectionable. The language, however, of the party, and possibly of +some of the leaders, was not perhaps equally irreproachable and certainly +not equally judicious. In conversations, speeches, and publications there +was much personal asperity and some indecorous satire and invective. +Those who had early opportunities of studying the character of the Prince +should have known that personal slights were more deeply felt and more +certainly resented by him than real indignities, injuries, or ill-usage. + +His more recent acquaintances had sagacity enough to discover that secret +very soon, and dexterity enough to act upon it. They bore tales of much +that was said, and of more that was never said, to his disparagement +by the principal characters in Opposition. Studiously directing his +attention to the numberless lampoons that appeared, they affixed to each +whatever name it was most their interest to render obnoxious. I knew more +than one instance of persons passing at Carlton House for the authors +or instigators of the very epigrams or paragraphs they had deprecated, +lamented, and condemned. Lord Grey unquestionably felt great indignation. +Ever open, artless, and impetuous, he could not stop to conceal it. +The coarse and unmannerly phrases imputed to him were, indeed, never +uttered; but his unguarded exposure of the Prince Regent’s duplicity in +all companies, and his severe animadversion in the House of Lords on the +defection of Lord Cholmondeley and the few insignificant sycophants who +followed him, sank deep in the Royal mind. The new Court was henceforward +_to the full as intent as the old one_ on excluding the Whigs from all +office, favour, or power. + +Although the offences of Lord Grey, owing to the high station he filled +in the eyes of men, were more important, and, owing to early personal +jealousies between him and the Prince of Wales, were less easily +pardoned than those of others, such indiscretions were not confined +to him. We all incurred the guilt, if not the odium, of charging His +Royal Highness with ingratitude and perfidy. We all encouraged every +species of satire against him and his mistress. He retorted in language +to the full as unmeasured, and in assertions much more unfounded. He +drove Lord Lauderdale to the necessity, first, of remonstrating with +him, and afterwards, of absenting himself, by bursting forth suddenly, +intemperately, and violently against his political friends—a scene +rendered memorable by having excited the tears of the young Princess +Charlotte, who was present, and yet more so by those tears becoming the +subject of Lord Byron’s verse.[124] + +That extraordinary young man had satirised and ridiculed me, in common +with many others, in his _English Bards and Scotch Reviewers_, under a +very erroneous impression that I had written or caused to be written +the criticism on his first publication in the _Edinburgh Review_[125]; +whereas it was from that printed _Review_ that I first learnt the +existence of the poems, or indeed of the author, whose title I had +thought was extinct. My friend Mr. Rogers knew this circumstance; he +asked me if I objected to his repeating it to Lord Byron. I answered: +“Far from it, provided he repeated it as he had heard it from me, a fact +related in accidental conversation, and not a message or explanation sent +from me to Lord Byron.” Mr. Rogers soon afterwards informed me that Lord +Byron wished to speak in Parliament against the Frame-breaking Bill, +and that he was anxious to learn the forms and to consult some peer +in Opposition. Mr. Rogers asked me if I would allow him to introduce +me to the young poet. I willingly and warmly acquiesced, gave him +what assistance I could, and received from him a very handsome and +well-written letter. His speech was full of fancy, wit, and invective, +but not exempt from affectation nor well reasoned, nor at all suited +to our common notions of Parliamentary eloquence. His fastidious and +artificial taste and his over-irritable temper would, I think, have +prevented him from ever excelling in Parliament. + +This accidental intercourse about his first speech led to our +acquaintance and even friendly familiarity, which was never interrupted. +I have mentioned it because everything relating to him excites curiosity; +and the uniformly courteous, I might almost say grateful, manner in +which he acknowledged and returned my trifling services, amounting to +little more than ordinary civility, shows a sensibility and kindness for +imaginary favours in one who was unhappily too often suspected, with +reason, of an extreme susceptibility to slight, and even imaginary, +injuries. His speech and his verses on Princess Charlotte’s tears fixed +his politics, and he was[126] upon system invariably attached to the +party and principles of the Whigs. Mr. Rogers himself, on the unexpected +conduct of the Prince Regent, put one of the many witty epigrams he is +in the habit of uttering into verse, and the lines found their way into +the newspapers. Another poet, Mr. Moore, with more party zeal and Irish +humour than worldly prudence, parodied the Prince Regent’s letter to the +Duke of York. His friend, Lord Moira, approved of the conduct of Lord +Grey and Lord Grenville in declining the overture; he even drew out an +answer, which he wished them to adopt and communicated to me for that +purpose. It required, indeed, some further explanation; but it insisted, +even in a more authoritative tone than the paper they sent, on the +impossibility of their _entering into the Cabinet_ of a Ministry whose +measures they had uniformly _reprobated_. + +The two Irish brothers Lord Donoughmore and Lord Hutchinson kept no +measures with the Court. The Regent was so exasperated at their language, +that he affected to lament that he was not a private man and able to call +one of them at least to account for a personal affront. Perhaps a more +accurate knowledge of that family’s proficiency in pistols might, on +reflection, reconcile His Royal Highness to the privations of his exalted +station. + +The unfortunate breach between the Roman Catholics of Ireland and their +able supporter Lord Grenville, effected by the machinations of Dr. +Milner,[127] who had shamelessly disavowed him, had rendered it necessary +to place the petitions of that body in other hands. Lord Grey, I +believed, had declined them some time before; and when I was sounded on +the subject I told them that, if offered, I should not refuse them; but +that for my sake, and still more for their own, I wished them to deliver +their petitions to some one less connected with Lord Grenville and more +disposed to approve of, as well as not to combat, their objections to the +veto[128] and to the restrictions, which topic would not improbably be +introduced into the debate. + +They pitched on Lord Donoughmore, the representative of that Protestant +family which had first and most uniformly espoused their cause, and one +who at the time of the Union and at the formation of Lord Fitzwilliam’s +Administration had been, as I believe, the channel of communication +between them and the Government. He accepted the commission of pleading +their cause in Parliament with cheerfulness, and he executed it with +considerable ability. If in judgment there was some deficiency, there +was an abundant supply of that which Irishmen and Roman Catholics +value more—spirit and even violence. His personalities to the Regent +and to Lady Hertford were somewhat too coarse for our English palates; +but his excuse of so great a breach of decorum was this. He had been +twice the channel to convey direct or implicit promises which had been +violated, and to excite expectations which had been disappointed. Had he +submitted a third time, without open and unqualified hostility to those +who had deceived him, he thought his own honour might be questioned by +his countrymen. He preferred deserving the reproach of rudeness and +indelicacy to incurring even the suspicion of duplicity and treachery. +Whatever be the value of such an apology, the Irish Catholics so far +justified his speculations that they warmly applauded his vehemence and +personality, and in _an evil hour for themselves_ embodied the most +offensive passages of his speech into resolutions at their various +meetings throughout Ireland. Some years afterwards their writers in +Ireland most falsely attributed this conduct to the instigation of their +Parliamentary friends in England. I believe that neither Lord Grey, +Lord Grenville, Lord Lansdowne, myself, Mr. Ponsonby, Mr. Grattan, Mr. +Tierney, Mr. Canning, nor any one active Member of Parliament, had the +slightest intimation of their intention to propose such intemperate +resolutions; I am sure that we one and all lamented and condemned them +when adopted. + +Even those among us who were most indignant at the conduct of the Prince +Regent felt that it was not good policy in the Roman Catholics to express +their sense of it too warmly, much less in the coarse, revolting, +and scurrilously personal libel. In the Commons Mr. Grattan was more +temperate as well as more eloquent, but not much more successful. The +majorities of both Houses, though not very great, and weakened by the +loss of Lord Wellesley and his few adherents, showed that in the opinion +of politicians the Prince Regent had joined the Anti-Catholic faction, +or that Mr. Perceval had contrived to fix himself permanently in power. +He seemed, indeed, determined to exact a yet stronger proof of the +attachment of his followers, by insisting on their adherence to the +Orders in Council,[129] which were involving us in hostilities with +North America, ruining our commerce, and impoverishing our manufacturers +in a way that excited universal distress and clamour, and threatened to +produce defalcation in our revenue and insurrection in the country. + +But this infatuated course of policy was suddenly arrested by one of +those unforeseen events which, springing from small, private, and +unconnected causes, have, in their consequences, the greatest effect on +the fate of nations and [the] happiness of mankind. A madman of the name +of Bellingham had been, or thought he had been, aggrieved by some of our +public agents abroad. He was full of resentment at the supposed injury, +and yet more at the neglect with which his importunate remonstrances had +been treated by persons in power and their respective offices in England. +If his own account is to be trusted, he devoted some person in high rank +and office as an atonement for his wrongs; but was nearly indifferent on +whom answering that description his vengeance might fall. He pitched on +Mr. Perceval the Prime Minister, or Lord Granville Leveson,[130] who was +Ambassador in Russia at the time certain claims in indemnification of +losses sustained by him at Archangel had been presented without effect to +the Russian and English Governments, without any positive personal enmity +to either of those individuals. He determined, however, to sacrifice the +first of the two who should come within his reach. Accordingly, with +this view, he took his stand on May 11, 1812, in the lobby of the House +of Commons, of which both were members, with two small loaded pistols in +his pocket; he sat patiently near the door till Mr. Perceval made his +appearance, and then, approaching him without gesticulation or violence, +shot him through the heart. His victim staggered and fell, exclaiming, “I +am murdered,” or, “The villain has murdered me,” or words to that effect, +and never spoke more. + +The whole scene and many of the circumstances recalled the assassination +of the Duke of Buckingham by Felton, and in nothing did it resemble it +more than in the cool composure of the assassin, who, I think, resumed +his seat, but certainly made no effort to escape. On making inquiry after +“the villain,” when the agitation had subsided, he surrendered himself +without a struggle. On the spot, on the first examination, and on the +trial, he avowed the deed; and though he called himself an unfortunate +man, he seemed neither to repent nor to feel much anxiety to vindicate +his motives or to avoid the consequences of his crime. + +I was talking to Lord Spencer in the House of Lords, when we heard either +the report of pistols or the scream of horror which the perpetration of +the crime had excited. I recollect exclaiming, “What is that?” and being +told, after a short interval, that it was a madman who thought himself +the Duke of Norfolk and frequently molested the Courts of Justice with +his pretensions. It was not long, however, before a figure, pale and +breathless, rushed into the House, and, leaning on the bar, repeated +twice or thrice, “He is murdered; I saw him dead.” “Who?” “Where are we +to go to assist?” was reiterated from many present; and some minutes, +I think, elapsed before we actually learnt that it was Mr. Perceval who +was killed. The consternation was great; the appearance of most present +ghastly. I remember I wondered to myself whether my face was as much +altered as those of the persons around me—a thought which proves (as +what indeed does not?) the accuracy and truth of the observation of +Shakespeare on our feelings. + + Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest? + +is an exclamation of one of his characters, on hearing in a large company +of the violent death of the Duke of Clarence.[131] + +The peers were coming in very fast, and I think we took some precautions +to inform Lord Arden[132] of the event. All expressed horror; some few +seemed to ponder on the changes likely to ensue; and more were manifestly +apprehensive that the crime was connected with extensive designs, and +the result of conspiracies which the state of the country rendered by no +means improbable. The House of Commons had adjourned. The House of Lords +has been censured and ridiculed for not doing so too; perhaps it was the +best course. Yet to quit the spot on the report of a crime committed +within the precincts of Parliament, without inquiry into the fact or +comment upon it, seemed to many peers, and among them, I own, to me, an +unnatural and undignified and almost a dastardly proceeding. We had, +therefore, the fact deposed to at the bar; but when we had resolved to +ground some proceeding thereupon, it must be acknowledged that we found +some difficulty in devising any in form and substance unobjectionable. We +passed an address unanimously to the Prince Regent, praying him little +more than to enforce the laws. Lord Radnor wrote and Lord Chancellor +moved it. Most of the peers present accompanied it to Carlton House. It +is to be observed that the Lords were not aware of the character and +condition of the assassin. They who blame our proceeding should reflect +what would have been their own impression, and what the inferences in the +public, had the murder turned out to be a part of any extensive design, +and the two Houses, on the perpetration of it, had dispersed themselves, +without daring to express their sense of the outrage or a determination +to investigate the causes of it. + +The Old Bailey Sessions were sitting, and the assassin was brought to +immediate trial. He applied for delay to bring witnesses from a distance +in proof of his insanity. He was denied that indulgence, condemned on the +15th, and executed on May 18, within one week of the perpetration of the +murder. Such hurry was by many thought harsh and illegal, and by more +injudicious and improper. Insanity, or at least insanity of a certain +sort, by the law of England exempts the accused from a verdict of guilty. +The wisdom of such mercy may reasonably be questioned; but whatever +the law wisely or unwisely admits to be a vindication of the act, the +accused should be allowed full opportunity of proving in his defence. It +was, therefore, shrewdly suspected that there was more dread of a Prime +Minister’s murderer escaping than reverence for the forms of law in the +refusal to postpone the trial. Whether from this consideration, from the +distress of the times, from the acrimonious spirit of Mr. Perceval’s +politics, or from that composed courage in the sufferer, which in spite +of reason seldom fails to conciliate favour even for a criminal, certain +it is, that among the crowds who thronged to the execution of Bellingham +more commiseration was shown for the culprit than for his victim. Women +were struck with his fine and manly person. Strange tales of his amorous +complexion, whispered abroad, did not weaken that favourable impression. +They were currently repeated at this day,[133] and I am sorry to +acknowledge that at the distance of some years the name of Bellingham was +far from unpopular in London. + +In truth, the death of Mr. Perceval was hailed as a deliverance in +various parts of the country. Some classes, whose habits should have +taught them to reject any consolation drawn from the commission of +a horrible crime and should also have bespoken more sympathy for so +religious a man, could hardly conceal their delight at the prospect of +the removal of those worldly evils under which they were labouring. One +of the leading manufacturers of Birmingham, a strict Dissenter, who had +come up to London with petitions against the Orders in Council, lamented +to me, with a demure countenance and a subdued voice, the wickedness +of the times on which he had been cast, where, he said, as the coaches +arrived in various parts of the kingdom, the intelligence of the murder +of a fellow creature had been received with more exultation than horror, +and even in some places greeted with savage shouts of un-Christian joy. +“It is indeed disgusting; and yet,” added he, with an arch, puritanical +smile, “it proves the sad condition of the poor manufacturers, and it +cannot be denied that, in the present critical state of the question on +the Orders in Council, the finger of a benevolent Providence is visible +in this horrible event.” + +The result, however, so confidently anticipated, would hardly have ensued +had the vigilance and perseverance of Mr. Brougham been relaxed. He +braved the censure of enemies and shocked the more timid and more gentle +of his friends, by resolutely insisting, without regard to the feelings +of individuals or the convenience of the Government, on the immediate +relinquishment of the Orders in Council, before Mr. Perceval was cold +in his grave or the arrangements for a new Ministry in any forwardness +at Court. To that wise and firm, but at the same time somewhat odious +conduct, the country is indebted for a revision of a system, unjust to +other nations and ruinous to itself. Mr. Perceval had too much spirit +to be intimidated, and too much bigotry to be convinced, by the clamour +or the sufferings of the people. Had he lived, he would, no doubt, have +persisted, at the peril of his own power, as well as of the prosperity of +the kingdom, in the injudicious and violent measures he had from zeal and +ignorance so hastily adopted.[134] + +He was a man of principle, integrity, and courage; and though a bitter +persecutor of such political and religious principles as he without much +painful inquiry or dispassionate reflection disapproved, he was indulgent +to his friends and liberal of his money. In business he was diligent, +attentive, and distinct. It is true that even the eminent post he reached +never enabled him to soar to the higher regions of eloquence; but in +debate he was acute, judicious, and, above all, intrepid and ready. “He +is not,” said Mr. Grattan, “a ship-of-the-line, but he carries many guns, +is tight built, and is out in all weathers.” He had, indeed, the length, +but was said not to have the learning, belonging to his profession. +Prolixity was his great fault as a speaker; propensity to retaliation +and attack his chief error as a Minister in Parliament. His virtues and +his vices rendered him the most mischievous and dangerous man who had +guided our councils for a century. Nothing but a dread that my words may +be distorted into an attempt to palliate an atrocious crime makes me +hesitate in pronouncing his death (as in my conscience I think it) a very +fortunate event for the glory, happiness, and independence of my country. +More changes were expected from it than actually took place. + +In returning from the House of Lords I met Lord Grey, and took that early +opportunity of expressing to him my sense of the importance of coming +to an understanding with Lord Moira, Lord Wellesley, and Mr. Canning, +before the Prince Regent had sent either to them or to us, and while we +could negotiate a junction on the footing of perfect equality without +the advantage on either side which an ostensible preference given by the +Court would confer. He was by no means averse to a junction with any +or all of them on honourable principles. He had no objection to speak +to Lord Moira; but he doubted whether that was a proper moment for any +negotiation with Mr. Canning, to whom I saw he retained much repugnance. +He was yet more decidedly averse to making the first overture to him or +to Lord Wellesley, from a notion of dignity to which I deferred, but +which appeared to me to be mistaken and misplaced. He enjoined me to +mention my notions to no one, and I obeyed him. Is it judging by the +event, to attribute our subsequent exclusion from office to the want of +such early understanding with the other public men then unemployed? Had +we caught up and harnessed beforehand all the Ministers at grass, the +Prince Regent could hardly have ventured in any conveyance but such as +we had to offer him. I am, indeed, satisfied that _his_ chief object +throughout was to prevent the admission of the Whigs to office. But if on +applying to Lord Wellesley or Lord Moira, he had found those two noblemen +in actual concert with the Whigs and bound in honour and inclined from +interest and principle to act with them, he could scarcely have framed a +proposal which would not have led either to a joint Administration, or to +a union of many separate powers in an Opposition too formidable for the +rump of Mr. Perceval’s Cabinet to encounter. + +The Prince Regent began by directing Lord Liverpool to communicate with +Lord Wellesley and Mr. Canning on the means of strengthening the existing +Administration, by associating to it persons who agreed most nearly and +generally in the principles on which it had been conducted; but though +he disclaimed all principles of exclusion, he authorised no proposal +to persons connected with Opposition. This endeavour failed.[135] Mr. +Canning, who waived all personal objections to Lord Castlereagh as +Lord Castlereagh had also done to him, thought, however, that his +personal and public character would incur a loss and the Government +derive no strength, from his accession to a Ministry which resisted all +consideration of the Catholic question after he had declared himself +anxious to press that measure on Parliament and the public. + +Lord Wellesley yet more pointedly declined any association with the +Ministry, while their opinions on the laws affecting Roman Catholics +remained unchanged. He apprehended too great a difference of sentiment +on the conduct and management of the Peninsular war subsisted between +him and Mr. Perceval’s colleagues, to render any renewal of connection +with them in office advantageous to the public or acceptable to himself. +He suggested at the end of his letter the propriety, necessity, and +practicability of the admission of some of the Whigs into office; +manifestly implying that the want of authority on that head was one +of his objections to the commission of Lord Liverpool from the Prince +Regent.[136] + +Lord Wellesley was on this, and throughout the correspondence that +ensued, more conciliatory to the Whigs than Mr. Canning. He was +evidently more disposed to act with a party with whom he had never been +connected, than with those from whom he had recently separated with some +avowed, and more concealed, asperity and contempt. These feelings of +animosity were considerably inflamed by the polemical tone he assumed +in his correspondence, and yet more by the indecent haste with which he +published his letters and answers. Lord Liverpool assured me that he read +the letter to him of May 21, printed in the newspaper called the _Times_, +before he had received, or at least before he had broken the seal of, +the original. The scheme for strengthening the old Ministry being thus +defeated, the opinion that it could not maintain itself grew more general. + +Mr. Stuart Wortley,[137] a friend of Mr. Canning, though related to Lady +Liverpool, moved the House of Commons on May 21 to address the Regent +to, “form an efficient Administration.” Such motions, in substance +and intention interfering in the choice of Ministers by the executive +Government and always offensive to a Court, have been often negatived, +when made by Whigs, as unconstitutional encroachments on the prerogative. +Small middle parties and detached place-hunters, being factions who +derive great advantage from an unlimited and uncontrolled choice of +servants in the Crown, are almost invariably foremost in resisting them. +On this occasion, however, the address to that purpose was moved by a +Tory country gentleman, and was supported by Mr. Canning. The Whigs +concurred with it, and it was carried by a majority of four. Ministers +were compelled to tender their resignation, and the Prince Regent +constrained to make some demonstration of an effort to supply their place. + +If I were to attempt to thread the labyrinth of his intrigues and +devices, my readers would be perplexed with the intricacy and weary +of the length of the narrative. Some prominent facts are quite +sufficient to detect the nature of the design, which was, to elude the +wishes of the House of Commons, to preserve as nearly as possible the +Administration then in power, to divide or to degrade any public men who +had contributed to discomfit Mr. Perceval’s remaining colleagues, and +to exclude all the Whigs, but more especially Lord Grey, from all share +of power. To compass these ends, his first artifice was to authorise +Lord Wellesley _to ascertain the views and dispositions of all parties +with regard to certain principles, previously to the formation of any +plans of Administration_, and _then_ to lay before him a plan for an +Administration adapted to the crisis of affairs, but _not directly to +form any Ministry_.[138] + +The principles laid down by Lord Wellesley were,[139] first, that the +Roman Catholic disabilities should be immediately considered with a view +to a conciliatory adjustment; secondly, that the Peninsular war should be +prosecuted with adequate vigour. He submitted them himself to Lord Grey; +and Mr. Canning offered them at his suggestion to Lord Liverpool, because +his recent discussions with that Minister had produced so much ill blood +that the intervention of a third person was deemed by Lord Wellesley to +be more judicious and acceptable. But Lord Liverpool, in his own name +and that of all his colleagues except Lord Melville, drily declined +the proposal of becoming members of any Administration formed by Lord +Wellesley, and thought, after all that had passed with his Lordship, that +it was unnecessary to enter into any discussion of the principles he had +submitted to them. Lord Melville answered in a separate memorandum. He +was not less peremptory in his personal objections to Lord Wellesley, but +to the principles he had suggested he felt none. + +The answer of Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, adopted after due +deliberation with their friends, Lords Lansdowne and Lauderdale, Messrs. +Ponsonby, Tierney, and myself, was in substance as follows: an assurance +of a disposition to give effect to the late vote of the House of Commons +by the abandonment of every personal object; an unqualified promise +of supporting any proposal made by any Ministers for the conciliatory +adjustment of the Roman Catholic claims, with a warm compliment to Lord +Wellesley for his powerful exertions in that cause; and a cautious +postponement of all opinion on the more or less vigorous prosecution of +the Peninsular war, as a question not of principle but of policy, to be +regulated by temporary and fluctuating circumstances on which out of +office it was impossible for them to pronounce. To this, however, was +added an expression of doubt how far any increase of expenditure was +practicable. + +This paper, justly denominated by Mr. Ponsonby a “safe” answer, and as +justly considered by Lord Wellesley as a favourable and conciliatory +one, was delivered to the Prince Regent on May 24. On receiving it, +and _before he had read it_, he exclaimed, “_What! a refusal?_” After +reading it, and on being told by Lord Wellesley that it was satisfactory +in that stage of the business, he gave him no authority to proceed, +but professed to take time to consider of it. He employed that time in +devising arguments to distort the answer into a refusal, in calumniating +Lord Grey, in attempts to detach Mr. Canning from Lord Wellesley or to +prevail on both to join the old Ministry, and in alarming Lord Liverpool +and the Duke of York with the prospect of his rage at the Whigs and +his vexation at his embarrassments terminating in madness. During this +period of anger and intrigue, in which he frequently saw Mr. Sheridan, +he urged the old Ministry to stand their ground and brave the House of +Commons; and he pressed Lord Moira to form an Administration, without +apprising Lord Wellesley—whose commission, however, he maintained, was +only suspended and not concluded. Lord Moira prudently declined; but +when the circumstance reached Lord Wellesley it confirmed the suspicions +he had begun to harbour of the Regent’s insincerity, and furnished him +with fresh motives for exacting, when subsequently employed by His Royal +Highness, some more specific power and instructions than he had hitherto +obtained. Displeased at discovering that the old Ministers, on the plea +of retaining _pro tempore_ their offices, had long and frequent audiences +of the Prince Regent, he and Lord Moira offered to hold the seals of +office till some Administration should be formed. That offer was not +accepted. + +[Illustration: _Charles, 2nd Earl Grey_ + +_T. Phillips, R.A. Pinx. 1812._ + +_Emery Walker Ph. Sc._] + +In the meanwhile Lord Moira extracted from Lord Grey an explanation, +or rather an accurate statement, of what he had said in the House of +Lords on the disappointment of the Roman Catholics of Ireland, with the +friendly view of satisfying the Prince that no personal affront to him +had been offered or intended on that occasion. + +The firmness of Lord Wellesley, the intervention of Lord Moira, and the +opinion of others, especially the Duke of York and Lord Egremont[140] +(the latter of whom avowed much political dislike to the two Lords, yet +concurred in representing the services of both as essentially necessary +to the country), at length prevailed on His Royal Highness with a bad +grace to authorise Lord Wellesley to enter on a negotiation not only +with Lord Grenville, but with Lord Grey, to whom he had chiefly taken an +exception. In yielding, however, to this advice, he contrived to clog +his offer with conditions, which he had the sagacity to foresee that +the prudence or the high spirit of those with whom he negotiated would +instantly reject. He did not direct Lord Wellesley to discuss measures +and arrangements with the two Lords, but he directed him to annex as +a condition and to stipulate that Lord Moira, Lord Erskine, and Mr. +Canning should be members of the Cabinet;[141] and that to a Ministry so +constituted they should recommend a certain number of members limited by +previous arrangement or order from His Royal Highness. + +Lord Wellesley, in delivering this proposal, intimated that Lord Melville +should also be invited to a seat in the new Cabinet; that the Great Seal +should be offered to Sir William Grant;[142] and that the Prince Regent +would be gratified at Lord Eldon, though deprived of the Seal, being +still retained in the Cabinet. To this proposal a refusal was drawn +up by Lord Grenville and Lord Grey, and cordially approved of by all +their leading friends in both Houses of Parliament. The grounds of their +objections were strongly but respectfully stated to be a conviction that +the plan was formed on a principle of disunion, that the proceeding was +in itself novel and inconvenient, and the tendency of it would be to +establish in the Cabinet itself a system of counteraction inconsistent +with the prosecution of any uniform or beneficial course of policy. + +On June 3 Lord Wellesley reported the failure of his negotiations, and +recommended that some further explanations should be given; but he was +informed by the Prince Regent that his powers had now ceased, and his +commission was withdrawn. Lord Wellesley lost no time in informing the +public, through the House of Lords, that his commission had been revoked; +and in the course of his speech lamented that, “personal animosities, +dreadful personal animosities,” had stood in the way of any advantageous +and amicable arrangement. This strong phrase was applied by the public +to the Prince Regent’s prejudices against Lord Grey; but when both +Lord Moira and Lord Grenville acquitted Lord Wellesley of having meant +any imputation on the Prince, and Lord Boringdon ascribed it, in Lord +Wellesley’s absence, very awkwardly to inadvertence, the spirited little +Marquis returned to the House, and, not satisfied with disclaiming +the false meaning annexed in his words, declared explicitly that they +studiously intended to stigmatise, and did, in truth, accurately +describe, the feelings and conduct of the old Ministers towards him. A +warm altercation ensued, in which Lord Wellesley expressed his scorn of +his late colleagues in language which, if they had not then the wit to +repel or confute, they afterwards showed they had the memory to retain +and the disposition not easily to forgive.[143] Lord Moira, satisfied +that all the above negotiations had failed from a misunderstanding, was +still desirous to rectify it. With that view he sought opportunities of +conversing, and wrote one or two notes to Lords Grey and Grenville, who +civilly but distinctly declined pursuing the subject by unauthorised +discussions. He was then furnished with full powers, and had an interview +with the two Lords at his house in St. James’s Place on June 6, 1812. + +To that interview it must be acknowledged that the two Lords went but +ill prepared to bring matters to an amicable issue, and with some +inclination, from a prospect of fresh and reviving embarrassments, to +seize any plausible pretence for declining the proffered boon. Even +had they been otherwise able to form an Administration, they had, from +delicacy or from indolence, neglected to come to any agreement between +themselves on some of the most important points connected with such +arrangements. The Regent did not conceal his personal dislike to Lord +Grey. To have selected him for the Treasury—an office which he never +held, and which would have brought him more than any other into personal +intercourse with the Regent—would certainly have provoked the indignation +of the Court, and might, with some plausibility, be construed into an +insult on the feelings of the Prince Regent. On the other hand, Lord +Grenville had no disposition to surrender his auditorship, and our +Parliamentary friends had still less to approve of his retaining it with +the Treasury.[144] No third plan had been devised. Lord Moira had not, +like Lord Wellesley, avowed a determination not to accept the Treasury. +There were, indeed, circumstances, arising from the embarrassed state +of his private affairs and his too compliant temper, which would have +disqualified him for that office; but they were in their nature not very +easy to be urged to him, and no plan not liable to inconvenience could be +suggested in lieu of one, which, but for the objections alluded to, so +obviously presented itself. + +These difficulties, together with Lord Grey’s distrust of the Regent +and Lord Grenville’s concealed, but not unreasonable, discontent with +our parliamentary friends, indisposed both those Lords to any amicable +termination of the negotiation. When, therefore, at the outset, Lord +Moira refused to acquiesce in any removal of the great officers of the +Household, or even to recognise the propriety of vesting any power of +removing them in the Cabinet, they peremptorily declined accepting office +with any such restriction; though Lord Moira was at great pains to assure +them that the stipulation was entirely his own, and did not come from the +Prince Regent. + +The two Lords, no doubt, thought such a condition a less indelicate +and more plausible ground of rupture, than others which they foresaw +must arise in discussing the detail of arrangements. Unquestionably, as +a ground of rejection, it had some advantages; it covered weaknesses +in their own party, it screened them from the imputation of personal +jealousies of those with whom they were to act; but, on the other hand, +it did not expose the insincerity of the Court so manifestly as further +progress in the negotiation might have done, and, like all pretexts +contrived to keep out of sight the real motives of action, it rendered +their conduct somewhat unintelligible to the public. They had, indeed, +the satisfaction to find it approved by their House of Commons friends, +with the exception of Mr. Whitbread, and by all their chief supporters +in the Lords without one dissentient voice. Lord Darlington,[145] who +had originally joined the Whigs through the influence of Carlton House, +declared that had they acted otherwise they would have lost his support. +Even Lord Erskine, who had endeavoured to render them more compliant, +joined our meeting of June 7 at Lord Grenville’s, with an assurance that +he would contribute to form no middle or neutral Administration, but +“die in the political connection in which he had hitherto lived.” To +this gallant determination, the conduct of Lord Moira, which afterwards +reached my ears, may possibly have contributed. He had a few hours before +informed Lord Erskine that in the Administration he was then projecting +he intended to offer him the Presidentship, and not the Seals, which he +destined to Sir William Grant. With an equal want of dexterity he had, +about the same time, called on Lord Eldon to apprise him, as an old +private friend, that he had no intention of offering him anything in his +new Administration. + +When Lord Wellesley had made some progress in his negotiations with the +Whig Lords, and when he thought his project, though in its actual shape +declined, might be so modified as to lead to an accommodation, the Prince +Regent first suspended and then cancelled his powers. When Lord Moira +had entirely failed in his negotiation and peremptorily rejected the +principles on which alone the two Whig Lords would enter upon treaty, +His Royal Highness continued his powers, and left him at liberty to form +a Ministry of which he was quite satisfied the two obnoxious Lords would +not be a part. Lord Moira was, indeed, sanguine. He hoped to form a +Ministry, even though the Whigs refused to co-operate with him, without +having recourse to the late Ministers, whom he continued to term “those +fellows.” His first step was to offer Mr. Canning a seat in the Cabinet +and a share in the arrangements for filling it. Mr. Canning, with certain +conditions and reserves, accepted the offer. Lord Moira then commissioned +Mr. Canning to persuade Lord Liverpool (a prominent Member of the late +Cabinet, and consequently one of the “fellows” described by Lord Moira) +to accede to his Ministry, which was nevertheless to be formed on a +principle favourable to Catholic Emancipation. + +This proposal Lord Liverpool naturally declined. He added that he had +neither by word nor deed counteracted the object of the veto of [the] +House of Commons for a new Ministry; and he somewhat carefully qualified +his opinion on the Catholic question by observing that, although he +should always vote against the measure, he was not precluded from +supporting or even acting with a Ministry favourable to some further +concessions to the Roman Catholics provided he, in other respects, +concurred in their general politics. Lord Moira was not discouraged by +Lord Liverpool’s refusal. He consulted Mr. Sheridan, but he offered him +no seat in the Cabinet; he sent up express for Mr. Whitbread, entertained +some strange hopes of that gentleman taking office, and gave him in +return yet stranger, of Government espousing the cause of Parliamentary +reform. + +In the meanwhile he had authorised Mr. Canning to find four Cabinet +Ministers, including himself. He spoke of the Duke of Norfolk and Lords +Hardwicke, Erskine, and Egremont as four others on whom he (Lord Moira) +could rely for active co-operation.[146] Few hours elapsed before Mr. +Canning learnt that three of the above-mentioned Lords had declined every +offer; and that Lord Egremont had never been consulted by Lord Moira, +but only quoted by the Prince Regent as a man whose reluctance to take +office he could, in case of great emergency, overrule. After sundry +other meetings, which seemed devised for no practical purpose whatever, +Lord Moira presented at Carlton House the meagre list of names suggested +rather than procured by Mr. Canning.[147] The Prince Regent, glancing his +eye carelessly over them, exclaimed: “You see, my dear Moira, they are +chiefly Pittites; so the best way is to make up with the present men, and +you may settle it all with Eldon and Liverpool, _who are waiting in the +adjoining room_.” Lord Moira took his leave. The matter was as easily +settled without him by the statesmen in waiting, and in ten minutes Lord +Liverpool kissed hands as First Lord of the Treasury. + +It was understood, on this revival of the old Ministry, that Government, +as such, was to take no part on the Catholic question: that a subject, +which had agitated the public for years, was to be considered by those +who directed the councils of the nation as matter of indifference, on +which they were not to concert any line of conduct whatever. Persons +in office were to give their votes on that question, without paying or +exacting any deference or compliance from their colleagues or subordinate +officers. The only accession to the Ministry consisted of Lord Sidmouth +and some few of his friends.[148] + +Thus an address moved by a partisan of Mr. Canning,[149] and carried +by the assistance of the Whigs, for the purpose of forcing either or +both into the Cabinet, terminated by riveting those against whom it was +directed more securely than ever in power, and procuring a share of +it to the only faction in Parliament which had concurred in resisting +the motion. Lord Liverpool assured me that he had been on the point of +setting off on a tour on the Wye, and that from the period of the vote in +[the] Commons to the failure of Lord Moira’s negotiations with Lord Grey, +he had never directly nor indirectly obstructed the formation of a new, +or endeavoured to preserve, the old Administration. I gave and give full +credit to his assertion, and, with the exception of Lord Eldon, I believe +the same might be said of most of his colleagues. Strong disinclination +to office in the two Whig Lords; perhaps some little tincture of pride, +mingled with manners unconciliatory to strangers; the unsurmountable +barrier of opinion on the Catholic question between many of the parties +concerned; the secret contrivances of Sheridan to make his power felt; +the generous but somewhat unintelligible endeavour of Lord Moira to +screen the Regent from all odium; and above all the private determination +of the latter, steadily pursued through many byways and winding paths, to +exclude the Whigs and Lord Grey in particular—were the real causes which +defeated the formation of a new Ministry. + +The Regent, to mark his satisfaction with Lord Moira, threw the Collar +of St. George round his neck and embraced him with tears; which, it +is whispered, His Royal Highness has the prerogative of shedding at +pleasure. Lord Moira was soon afterwards named Governor-General of +India.[150] Though the tool of others’ duplicity, and, in some measure, +the dupe of his own refinements in loyalty, his motives were friendly to +the Whigs, honest to the country, kind to the Prince, and creditable to +his own character on the score of generosity but not of sagacity. + +I have been minute in relating the above transactions. The secret +motives of the parties were not obvious to distant observers, and much +misunderstood at the time. The statements made in the House of Lords +never reached the public. Even if they had, little would have been learnt +from them. On one occasion, Lord Grey having characterised Lord Moira’s +character as chivalrous, Moira understood the phrase as a reflection on +his understanding. A debate ensued, which their respective, or rather +common, friends were better pleased to leave without intelligible comment +than to prolong at the hazard of a quarrel. The negotiations expose the +hostility of the Prince Regent to the Whigs. They thereby furnish a clue +to his previous proceedings and an explanation of his subsequent conduct. +They discover the relations in which parties stood to one another; and +thereby exhibit a picture of the politics of the time, and portraits of +those most prominent in them. + +Writers have often represented such negotiations as little more or +less than a barefaced scramble for places, a contest of ambition in +some few, and of avarice in more. In those I have witnessed there has +been generally among leading statesmen much less appetite for office, +much less ambition and avarice, than more respectable passions. In +that here related, not only Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, but Lord +Wellesley, Mr. Canning, and even Lord Liverpool, seem throughout to have +foregone the prospect of place and power for a creditable and sometimes +an overstrained and fastidious regard to character and consistency. +Every one of them might have obtained office by the sacrifice either +of connections or opinions. Possibly they were reprehensible for some +portion of pride, vanity, or resentment; but nobody with an appearance +of reason could impute to any one of them, on this occasion, either an +inordinate desire of power or a grovelling passion for place or emolument. + +The adulation bestowed on living Princes is disgusting; the admiration +for high station and rank, common to most, and especially to professional +men, is adverse to the cause of truth and often ridiculous. The habit +of ascribing great designs and elevated motives to all the actions of +public characters, so prevalent in courtly writers, is not only false and +foolish but mischievous. On the other hand, the passion in which vulgar +minds indulge of levelling all public characters to their own standard, +and branding indiscriminately the leaders and followers of all parties +with the meanest selfishness, is equally false, nearly as foolish, and +much more mischievous. Far from showing sagacity, it betrays an ignorance +of mankind as well as malignity of disposition. Instead of deterring +men from corruption by the exposure of vice, it extinguishes one of the +strongest incentives to virtue, posthumous fame; and it reconciles the +world to the practice of iniquity by representing it to be universal and +unavoidable. + +The re-establishment of the old Ministry under Lord Liverpool was a new +epoch. I defer the relation of the remaining events of the year and the +Session of 1812 to another chapter. + + + + +INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE THIRD + + +It seemed unlikely that Lord Liverpool’s Administration, composed almost +entirely of men of second-rate ability and slender talent, would have a +long existence when pitted against the full strength of the Whig Party. +The Cabinet was divided on more than one of the leading questions of the +day, and though they could now rely with certainty on the steady support +of the Prince Regent, it seemed doubtful whether they would long remain +in power. + +Lord Holland states that the Government obtained some popularity from +the successes of the British armies in the Peninsula; and certainly +Wellington’s victories were a forcible argument against the petitions +and motions in Parliament urging the re-establishment of peace. That +General decisively defeated Marmont in July, 1812, at Salamanca, and +advanced to Madrid. Though the result of this step politically was most +opportune, he was unable to maintain his position in the Spanish capital, +and was forced to retire to Portugal before the advance of the French +armies. Appointed Commander-in-Chief during the winter he took the field +with renewed vigour in 1813. The French, dismayed at the news of their +Emperor’s disastrous retreat from Moscow, were concentrated early in +the spring, and commenced their retreat behind the Ebro. Wellington +hurried in pursuit, defeated Joseph in a pitched battle at Vittoria, and +continued his advance with such success that he entered France at the +head of the Allied armies early in October. + +Napoleon’s preparations for the campaign which he determined should +finally bring the whole Continent under his sway were on a scale up to +that time unknown in the history of the world. It will be remembered that +Austria and Prussia were bound by treaty to assist him, should he require +their aid. He forced them to fulfil their contract, and exacted both men +and money to assist him in the furtherance of his schemes. The French +armies crossed the Russian frontiers in June, 1812. Alexander, who had +hurriedly made peace with the Porte, could collect but half the number of +troops required to oppose the invader on even terms. Chance rather than +any settled plan of action governed the fortunes of the Russian forces, +which retreated before the advance of Napoleon. So far everything was +successful; but the organisation of the French transport had been found +wanting early in the campaign, and after the obstinately contested battle +of Borodino and the occupation of Moscow, Napoleon realised that it would +be an impossibility to maintain his troops in winter near that town. +Orders for retreat were given; hunger and cold did their worst; every +step was closely dogged by the Russian armies; and of the 480,000 men who +entered Russia, little more than 20,000 returned. + +Intelligence of the French disasters was sent by the Russians to General +von York, who commanded the Prussian troops under French orders at +Riga. After some hesitation, divining the inclinations of the nation, +he threw in his lot with the Russians, though King Frederick William +had up to that time given no sign of any rupture with Napoleon. He was +encouraged, however, by Alexander’s successful pursuit of the French, and +declared war against France in March, 1813. Napoleon, who had left the +disordered remnant of his army early in December, made superhuman efforts +in France to raise fresh troops for service in Germany. His endeavours +were crowned with success; but the young levy, unused to the exigencies +of warfare, were in no way to be compared to the veterans whose lives he +had ruthlessly sacrificed in the previous campaign. The opening phases of +the conflict were favourable to the French, and had Napoleon seized his +opportunity after the battle of Bautzen, he could have obtained peace on +sufficiently advantageous terms. But his ever-increasing ambition proved +his ruin, and a conviction that the Austrian Court would remain faithful +to him blinded him to the true facts of the case. That nation was indeed +wavering, and Metternich, the guiding star of its foreign policy, had +already perceived that Napoleon was insatiable in his demands, and that +a fresh appeal to arms was inevitable. Austria joined the Allies early +in August, and a series of battles took place, culminating in the defeat +of Napoleon at Leipsic and his retirement to France. After the decisive +result of this campaign, conditions of peace were again offered by the +Allies, but no definite answer was received, and the offer was withdrawn +early in December. + +The invasion of France commenced early in January, 1814, before Napoleon, +who had lost the services of a numerous body of men left in Germany to +garrison the fortresses, had gained time to collect fresh troops. It is +probable that he might still have retained the throne of France, had +he frankly accepted the terms offered at Chatillon in February; but +Caulaincourt, the French plenipotentiary, was afraid of signing a treaty +which he knew would be disavowed in the event of a French success, and +the opportunity was lost for ever. + +The Congress of Chatillon broke up without arriving at any decided +agreement as to the future settlement of France. The Allies resolved to +advance to Paris, and they entered that city on March 31. Napoleon made +several skilful attempts to bar their progress; but the disgust of the +French nation at the continuance of war, the treachery of his generals, +and the hopeless numerical inferiority of his forces, made any permanent +success an impossibility. A provisional Government was proclaimed in +Paris under Talleyrand, Napoleon was dethroned and sent to Elba, and the +Bourbons were recalled to the throne in the person of Louis XVIII. + +Wellington, in the south, paused for some months after reaching the +frontiers of France in October, 1813, till the senseless intrigues of +King Ferdinand, whom Napoleon had allowed to return to Spain, made the +British commander’s position somewhat insecure. He resumed operations +early in February. Soult was unable to withstand his advance, and the +continued British successes closed with the hard-earned battle of +Toulouse—a useless sacrifice of 8,000 lives, for Napoleon had abdicated +six days before. Wellington, who had accepted the post of British +Ambassador in Paris, reached that city early in May, in time to be +present at the conclusion of the definitive treaty. + +By this treaty, briefly, France retained what was practically her +frontier in 1792, without the exaction of any indemnity; Switzerland +became a republic; Holland, Spain, Westphalia, Tuscany, and Piedmont +were restored to their respective sovereigns; while other outstanding +questions of importance were deferred for discussion at a Congress to be +held at Vienna within two months. + +On the completion of their task, the Emperor of Russia and the King +of Prussia proceeded to England to pay a visit of congratulation to +the Prince Regent; but the Emperor of Austria was obliged to return to +his own dominions. London was _en fête_, and great crowds received the +monarchs enthusiastically, and everywhere accompanied their progress +during their stay in the country. It was about this time that rumours +were heard of the approaching marriage of the Princess Charlotte of +Wales, then in her seventeenth year, to the Prince of Orange, eldest son +of the newly made King of Holland. The probability of the arrangement +was universally believed; but the negotiations were broken off, and she +married within two years Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg. + +War broke out between England and the United States, in the summer of +1812, over the question of the British Orders in Council. The struggle +lasted with varying success for two years and a half. By sea the +Americans more than held their own; but their attempted invasions of +Canada met with no success. Peace was concluded by the Treaty of Ghent +early in 1815, much to the delight of both countries. + + + + +BOOK THE THIRD + +1812-1815 + +N.B.—Written in 1821, 1822, and subsequent years. Transcribed in 1825. + + +Lord Liverpool’s new Administration, huddled up from the cast rags and +tatters of the old, and consisting of pieces neither costly in themselves +nor well assorted to one another, seemed of no very lasting texture or +composition. On the great question of domestic policy—commonly called +Catholic Emancipation, they could only avoid disunion and dismemberment +by renouncing all opinion and action as a Government. The Prime Minister +in the Lords, as well as a majority in the Cabinet, was hostile to the +measure; yet the Leader in the Commons, Lord Castlereagh, a man of +judgment, temper, and courage, but destitute of all eloquence, wit, +taste, or knowledge, and at that period alike unpopular in England and +Ireland, had avowed that one great purpose of his public life was to +carry it. + +Of the parliamentary statesmen not actually in the ranks of their +opponents, none had any strong predilections and many had personal +enmities to the Ministers. Mr. Wilberforce[151] and the party called +“Saints” could not view with very great complacency an Administration +formed almost exclusively of the ancient and inveterate enemies of their +favourite measure “the Abolition.” If Mr. Canning was somewhat less +disposed than he had been to ridicule the incapacity of Lord Liverpool, +his resentment to Lord Castlereagh for his Ministerial opposition and +personal hostility in 1809 had scarcely abated. Lord Wellesley did not +conceal his private aversion and public scorn of his late colleagues; +and even the Prince Regent himself, though united cordially with them +in hatred of the Whigs, had no strong ties of personal attachment or +political gratitude to cement his connection with them. A war with +America was impending, and the Orders in Council could not be maintained +without ruin to the country, and, on the other hand, could hardly be +abandoned without disgusting the only warm supporters the Ministry +had, _viz._, the adherents of Mr. Perceval. They relinquished them, +however, and to all appearance at the instance or from a dread of Mr. +Brougham.[152] + +Such an acknowledgment of weakness seemed an inauspicious commencement +of an Administration. From all these premises it was foreboded that the +Ministry would be inglorious and short-lived. But though philosophy +never would teach us to discard all foresight, prudence, or calculation, +she has been often compelled to acknowledge that in political affairs +what is probable seldom happens. Time and accident enabled this rickety +Ministry to disappoint the expectation of their opponents; and though +their adherents scarcely pretend to attribute their success to any +extraordinary merit in them, yet the splendour of victories abroad +and the undisturbed possession of power at home, which have failed to +procure them contemporary applause even from the vulgar much more any +approbation from the wise, will not improbably obtain for them the +encomiums and possibly the admiration of more remote historians and +posterity. It must be acknowledged that, with the exception of Wellington +in the field and Eldon on the Bench, any reverence they inspire must be +from a distance[153]—from those who never transacted business in their +offices, never heard their harangues in Parliament, nor approached their +persons in private. With all such, mediocrity is their characteristic. + +The perseverance of Mr. Brougham in exposing the Orders in Council before +any new Administration was formed had made an impression both on the +House and the country. The Ministers, though with some hesitation and +much bad grace, began by announcing an intention to rescind them. That +resolution, or rather concession, though too late to prevent a war with +America,[154] disarmed the Opposition at home on the occurrence of that +event, and satisfied the country that the hostile disposition to the +United States and the narrow spirit of Mr. Perceval’s policy had died +with that Minister. The persuasion was strengthened by his personal +and political friend, Mr. Stephen,[155] the real instigator of those +impolitic measures, withdrawing himself from public discussions. + +The Catholic question seemed, at first, to have gained by the death +of its chief Ministerial opponent and the sort of interregnum which +intervened. Mr. Canning, in June, moved a resolution to take it into +consideration in the ensuing Session, and the motion was carried by 235 +to 106. The main question had been lost two months before by 300 to 215! +Such is the difference which a partial change of Ministry can make in +a House of Commons! In the Lords, the alteration was not so sensible, +for though Lord Wellesley lost a similar question only by the trifling +majority of one, the numbers who voted for his motion and those who +supported that of Lord Donoughmore on the preceding April differed only +by 24. + +I presented two bills on the subject of _ex officio_ informations.[156] +They were both rejected on the second reading, upon the opposition of +Lord Chief Justice Ellenborough and Lord Chancellor Eldon. The object +of one of them I have since had the good fortune to obtain.[157] The +Attorney-General has it no longer in his power to keep an _ex officio_ +information hanging _in terrorem_ over the head of an accused person for +an indefinite period. The other mischief which I attempted to remove +by these bills is, on the contrary, greatly extended in practice. It +is now not only recognised as law, but actually considered as a matter +of course, to hold to bail on an _ex officio_ information any person +accused of libel or other misdemeanour tending to a breach of the +peace, though admitted not to amount to one. Subjects of this nature +seldom excite much interest in the public, without exciting too much to +render it practicable or perhaps prudent to legislate about them. It is +part of the duty of a public man, and one which I have endeavoured to +perform, to keep in view the abuses of which at any one time he has felt +the inconvenience without being able to rectify it, and to seize the +opportunity of quickly and silently correcting them, when there is less +prejudice or passion likely to be offered to him and less commendation or +notice likely to attend his success. + +All such considerations, and others of yet greater delicacy and +importance, were soon afterwards overwhelmed by a marvellous tide +of good fortune in our foreign wars. Lord Wellington displayed the +promptitude and decision of a great general in the battle of Salamanca. +General Marmont (whose elevation to command, by the favour or caprice of +Napoleon, was destined to be fatal to the interests of that extraordinary +man) exposed his army to disadvantage.[158] Lord Wellington seized the +moment; his movements were rapid, judicious, and fortunate, and his +victory decisive.[159] The battle is considered by military men, and, +I believe, by the General himself, as the greatest action of his life. +In its consequences it was scarcely less important than his subsequent +more brilliant and celebrated, though perhaps not better deserved, +victories. Madrid was entered by the English, our army advanced into Old +Castile, and the siege of Cadiz was raised in the course of a month. +Some of the fruits of this success were indeed lost by Lord Wellington’s +rash and obstinate attack on Burgos, and by the prudent manœuvres of +General Clausel[160] on his flank. Yet the south of Spain was permanently +relieved, and a prospect of liberation from the French held out to all +Spaniards, which was ultimately realised in their favour. At home our +hopes revived. Ministers wisely judged the moment propitious for the +election of a new House of Commons, and they dissolved Parliament. +The event justified their policy. The Parliament of 1812 was not less +subservient to the Ministry than the one which had preceded it. + +The theatre at Drury Lane, rebuilt in consequence of the labours of a +Committee of which I was a member, but in which Mr. Whitbread was chief +director, adviser, and agent, was opened in October. So rose within +the compass of a year an age’s work—a glorious theatre. Mr. Whitbread +somewhat incautiously advertised for a competition of addresses to +be spoken at the opening, with a promise of £100 to the successful +candidate, and of entire impartiality in the selection.[161] We received +many dozen copies of verses. One was worse than the other, and not one +fit to be delivered. In this emergency, for it was no less, I applied to +Lord Byron; and observed that nothing but such a prologue as he alone +could write, and the authority of so great a poetical name as his, +could extricate us from our distress and excuse us with the public for +breaking faith with the poetasters. He kindly undertook the task. His +verses, though not particularly adapted to stage recitation nor equal to +some of his happiest effusions, will always be read for their poetry, and +fully justified the expectation we had formed of them. He was singularly +good-humoured and even docile in correcting, curtailing, or lengthening +any passage at my request; but he earnestly and emphatically conjured me, +when once “those fellows the actors” had touched or even seen them, not +to allow so much as a comma to be displaced. We offered him a concealed +place in the theatre to hear them delivered, but he vehemently exclaimed: +“I would not be within fifty miles of the place, on that night, for the +universe.” It was well he was not. Mr. Elliston[162] recited them in a +manner to drive an author mad. + +When first Lord Byron agreed to write this address, he said to me, “I +will try, but how shall I avoid that d—d Phœnix? We must not for the +world have a feather of that rare bird, which is become as commonplace +as a turtledove.” Mr. Whitbread, in doubt whether Lord Byron would +comply, composed an address himself of more than fifty lines, in which +the burning and rebuilding of the theatre were very elaborately compared +to the death and revival of the Phœnix, whose plumage, appearance, +and natural history were very minutely described. I mentioned this +circumstance to Mr. Sheridan, with the obvious remark that Byron felt +about his task like a poet, and Whitbread like a schoolboy. “Like a +schoolboy!” exclaimed Sheridan, who had seen the copy. “No, rather like +a poulterer.” There was no great harm and there was much pleasantry in +this sarcasm on Mr. Whitbread’s bad taste; but in many of Sheridan’s +observations on his benefactor and friend there was such malignity as too +clearly showed that he was of a nature which, uneasy under the weight of +an obligation, made him bitterly hate the man who had conferred it. His +pride was mortified at the success of that interference of Mr. Whitbread, +which he had himself solicited.[163] He rejected the offer of a private +box, and I believe he never set his foot in the new theatre. + +To the Russian campaign Napoleon had directed the efforts of his vast +Empire; and to the diversion of his attention and forces towards that +quarter, as well as to the spirit of the Spanish people, to the skill +of Lord Wellington, and to the improving valour and discipline of the +English armies, our great successes in the Peninsula are mainly to be +ascribed. But the scene for which he prepared such sacrifices exhibited +yet more dreadful disasters to his army. The French, after a course of +victories more or less disputed, had advanced to Moscow, which they +entered on September 14, 1812. Soon afterwards a large portion of that +immense city was burnt to the ground, whether by accident or by design is +still perhaps a problem, but, in either case, by the Russian inhabitants +and not by the foreign invaders. For a time, however, the deed was +imputed to the French, and the heartless and horrid sacrifice of so +many lives and so much property was stigmatised, with great parade of +humanity, by our writers and politicians. When, however, the consequences +of the conflagration were perceived to be injurious to the invading army +as well as ruinous to the inhabitants, and when it was known that the +French had made every exertion to extinguish, not to spread, the flames, +then the incendiaries (whoever they were) changed into patriots; and +whether the act was perpetrated as a desperate military expedient by the +Cabinet of Russia, or (as indeed is most probable) was the resource of an +unprincipled band of robbers, with the hopes of plunder and impunity, it +was extolled as an heroic exploit, an instance of self-devotion almost +unparalleled in history. Such is the justice of public opinion during +war. All sense of right and wrong is confounded; passion, self-interest, +and national prejudice govern the world. + +The ravages of the fire certainly rendered the French occupation of +Moscow insecure and inconvenient. They abandoned it in October, and cold +weather setting in unusually early that season, many hardships of their +retreat were known in England, and more disasters confidently expected +at the meeting of the new Parliament in November. The House and the +country were too much elated to listen to any recommendation of peace. +Mr. Canning was said to have prepared a triumphant answer to the pacific +language which he was persuaded that Mr. Whitbread would not fail to +adopt in a speech and an amendment. That gentleman, having some inkling +of the intentions of his opponent and rival, prudently gave up all +thoughts of any motion, and concealed himself during the earlier part of +the debate. He did not quit his retreat till Mr. Canning, impatient of +his absence and fearful of the question being put, had actually commenced +his harangue. He then, by walking up the House with a complacent smile, +somewhat disconcerted Mr. Canning, who, between the invectives he had +prepared and the more temperate tone which the state of the debate seemed +to enjoin, produced little or no effect on the House, disappointed the +young members by a bad specimen of his eloquence, and conciliated no +party by his ill-timed oration. But though the successes on the Continent +furnished no opportunity of triumph to Mr. Canning over the friends +of peace in the House of Commons, they strengthened the Ministry, and +revived hopes long relinquished in the Court and the country. + +A sum of money was voted by Parliament for the relief of the sufferers +in Russia. Such a measure, as an indication of national feeling, might +have some effect on the opinion of people on the Continent. Even if not +judicious to propose it, it would have been invidious to oppose it. +It was said, however, to mortify the pride rather than conciliate the +goodwill of the Russian Government. It was, moreover, so much diverted +from its destination in its progress to the sufferers, that it enriched +agents and jobbers in a much larger proportion than it relieved the +objects of compassion. + +Napoleon, in his rapid march to Moscow and his subsequent delay in +and about that capital, reckoned, from his personal knowledge, on the +irresolute character of the Emperor Alexander, his inexperience in +war, his distrust and suspicions of his own generals. Such qualities, +he very reasonably argued, might induce him to submit to peace, rather +than prolong a contest which must end in his utter ruin or in his +being rescued by skill and experience which would render some of his +subjects too powerful for their Sovereign. But in acting on such views, +Napoleon risked the consequences of a great military fault on a political +speculation, which a little foresight might have shown him was an +uncertain one, and which events proved to be a fallacious one. In his +notions of the want of firmness of Alexander he was not mistaken; but +he miscalculated his power, and overlooked the dangers which, on the +other side, might operate on that very want of firmness, and did, in +fact, counteract the first inclinations of the Czar, which were such +as Napoleon foresaw. It required, in truth, as much resolution to make +peace as to persevere in war. The spirit of the army,[164] the interest +of the nobles, and the vanity of the Russian nation all conspired to +deprecate any ignominious treaty; and their remonstrances were, I have +been told, in a character which a Russian Sovereign well knows how to +decipher and is seldom disposed to neglect. These circumstances and the +representations of Bernadotte, the Crown Prince of Sweden, over-ruled +Alexander’s wavering disposition, and made him a patriot and a conqueror +in despite of his own judgment and in defiance of nature, which, though +it had bestowed on him some little talent and dexterity, had denied him +that energy of character which is generally the most requisite ingredient +in the composition of a warrior and a hero. + +The language of our Ministers at the end of 1812, if not pacific, was +to the full as moderate as the temper of Parliament or of the country, +and even more so than that of some of our Whig connections. Some +manufacturing districts in the heart of the kingdom did, indeed, show a +disposition to petition for peace; but there was no ground to suppose +that our Government would insist on very unreasonable terms, and there +was some reason to apprehend that an earnest clamour for peace out of +doors might so far revive the spirit of Napoleon as to lead him to reject +conditions to which he might with honour submit. I, accordingly, informed +such of the petitioners as applied to me that I was “friendly to the +object of their prayer, eager and anxious to promote it, but that I had +some doubts of the policy of petitioning for it at that period, and could +not engage, should I present their petitions, to found any motion upon +them. I was apprehensive that such public demonstrations of the necessity +of peace might raise the terms of the enemy, and I was not certain that +our Ministers were not actually negotiating to obtain peace. If, however, +I found that they took no steps for that purpose, I should ere long be +anxious that the people by their earnest remonstrances might compel them +to do so.” In most instances the petitioners acquiesced in my advice. +Some few insisted on my presenting their petitions, but they were not +sufficient either in number or weight to place the friends of peace in +any awkward predicament, or to provoke the adverse party to sound their +war whoop in Parliament with any effect. + +In the meanwhile petitions of a different nature seemed to occupy the +people. Several meetings had been called, both in towns and counties, to +petition Parliament against any concession to the Roman Catholics. The +friends of the measure, if not lukewarm, were timid. A strong persuasion +that the sense of the country was decidedly hostile induced them to +let many meetings pass without opposition, and to confine all their +exertions for the cause within the walls of Parliament. Lord Lansdowne, +however, and myself determined to meet the anti-Catholics in one of their +fastnesses, Wiltshire. We attended a meeting at Devizes, and partly, we +flattered ourselves, by argument, but chiefly by the assistance of the +Protestant Dissenters and the Methodists, succeeded in defeating the +projected petition. I claimed on that occasion from the active agents +of the Methodists that assistance in favour of other Christians, which +in 1811 they had promised me.[165] They fulfilled their promise most +faithfully, and not only zealously co-operated with us at Devizes, but +handsomely furnished me and others with the admirable and well-organised +facilities which they have at their command, for disseminating such +tracts and arguments as we deemed serviceable to the general cause of +religious liberty and to Catholic Emancipation in particular. + +The temperate conduct of Mr. Grattan and the argumentative eloquence +of Mr. Plunket[166] had their weight with the House of Commons, who, on +March 2, 1813, in a House of 488 members, passed, by a majority of 40, +a resolution to take the claims of the Roman Catholics into immediate +consideration and refer them to a Committee. After much consultation out +of doors, in which Mr. Grattan, Mr. Canning, Mr. Ponsonby, Mr. Whitbread, +Mr. Elliot,[167] Lord Grey, Lord Grenville, Lord Lansdowne, and myself +took a part, a bill, founded on the mistaken principle of exacting +different securities for the allegiance of Catholics and of Protestants, +and in some other respects ill-framed, was brought into the House of +Commons, and after various discussions passed the first stages and was +committed on May 24. + +The Speaker, Mr. Abbot,[168] a pragmatical man of some talents for +detail, but alike incapable of great views and generous feelings, moved +to omit the clause admitting Roman Catholics to Parliament, and effected +his intolerant purpose by a majority of four. Mr. Ponsonby somewhat +hastily declared the boon, so limited, not to be worth the acceptance +of the Catholics nor beneficial to the service of the country, and, +moving that the Chairman should leave the chair, relinquished the bill +altogether. The question was not brought forward that year in the +Lords. At the termination of the Session Mr. Abbot, in an unusual and +unparliamentary manner, thought proper to mention in his speech at +the bar of the House of Lords the relinquishment of the measure in a +Committee, as a firm determination to support our establishments. Lord +Morpeth informed him privately before he withdrew from the House of +Lords that he would in the ensuing Session bring his conduct before +the Commons;[169] and when in a few years afterwards he retired from +the chair, Lord William Russell objected to the usual vote of thanks, +and founded his resistance to them on this very act of irregularity, +originating in adulation and servility to the Crown, and rewarded, as it +should seem, by a pension and a peerage. + +In April, 1813, died my maternal uncle, General FitzPatrick,[170] one of +the dearest friends I ever had. He was, I think, the most agreeable man I +ever conversed with. One or two of his contemporaries might vie with him +in wit and exceed him _perhaps_ in some mental endowments, _certainly_ +in knowledge and learning; but none united with an equal portion of such +qualifications his evenness of temper and spirits, his polished manners, +pure taste, sound judgment, and worldly experience. His conversation +was delightful in all seasons, situations, and societies, in the hour +of confidence and affliction, and in the moments of relaxation and +carelessness. He shone equally as a friend, an adviser, or a companion. +He had been the associate of Mr. Fox from their first entrance into +life, and was to the close of it the man on whose friendship he most +implicitly relied in private, in whose conversation he most delighted, +and on whose judgment and advice he most depended in all grave and public +affairs. He had as much scorn of a Court, and as much disdain of all +petty objects of avarice and ambition, as Mr. Fox himself; he was, too, +full as inflexible, where principle or high spirit required firmness. He +had, however, less ardour in his pursuits; he had perhaps less popular +feeling, though not less party honour; in short, he was less susceptible +of that glorious enthusiasm which stimulates genius into action, than his +friend. He sometimes allayed the impetuosity, and yet more frequently +checked the too unbounded confidence, which the sanguine and artless +disposition of Mr. Fox was inclined to repose on the efficacy of a just +cause and the co-operation of accidental connections. + +He had, at an early period, been active in public life, and, both as +Secretary in Ireland with the Duke of Portland and Secretary at War in +1784,[171] had shown much firmness and talents for business and even some +powers of application. But he was constitutionally indolent, and habitual +indulgence of his passion for women and play increased that infirmity so +much, that in the Administration of 1806 he was a cypher in Parliament. + +The death of Mr. Fox extinguished the few sparks of ambition that +remained in him; and although to preserve the Russell interest in +Bedfordshire he obligingly consented to be brought forward for that +county, he took little interest in politics after losing the friend +of his youth and the leader of his party. The gout, and yet more the +remedies taken to relieve it, weakened his constitution. Without any +actual depression of spirits, his exertions in the intercourse of private +society grew fainter and fainter, and the charms of his conversation +were often questioned by those of his new acquaintance who were not at +the pains to draw them forth. As a poet he was best known for his share +in the _Rolliad_ and other political pieces—a species of composition +in which nobody but Sir Charles Hanbury Williams ever excelled him; +but there are many other light poems of his writing extant, both in +manuscript and in print, which for ease, sprightliness, feeling, and +harmony would bear comparison with the happiest effusions of Prior. They +should some day be collected and published. I found the following lines +among his papers, entitled, + + MY OWN EPITAPH + + Whose turn is next? This monitory stone + Replies, “Vain Passenger, perhaps thy own.” + If idly curious thou shouldst seek to know, + Whose relics mingle with the dust below, + Enough to tell thee that his destined span + On Earth he dwelt, and like thyself was Man. + Nor distant far th’ inevitable day, + When thou, poor Mortal, shalt, like him, be clay. + Thro’ life he walked, unemulous of fame, + Nor wished beyond it to preserve a name, + Content so friendship on his humble bier + Dropped but the heartfelt tribute of a tear, + Tho’ countless ages should unconscious glide + Nor learn that he has ever lived or died. + +His illness and death prevented my attendance in Parliament for some +weeks during the spring of 1813. Lord Grenville during that time +supported the inroads made on the monopoly of the East India Company on +the occasion of the renewal of their Charter, in a very able speech.[172] +He took this line without consulting Mr. Tierney, the President of the +Board of Control in his Administration. Mr. Tierney was perhaps too much +wedded to the narrow policy which usually governed the Company, and +he was certainly nettled at this mark of want of confidence from Lord +Grenville. He, on the other hand, had not been pleased at Mr. Tierney’s +twice declining an offer from the Marquis of Buckingham to bring him into +Parliament. Such personal estrangements produced no quarrel in the party; +but when in 1818 and 1819 difference of opinion on public matters led +to a separation, they diminished the regret of individuals, and perhaps +accelerated an inevitable event. + +The conduct of Mr. Whitbread on the business of the Princess of Wales +yet more naturally excited feelings of resentment in different members +of the party. I do not wish to relate at length any of the transactions +connected with that lady’s conduct, case, or fortunes. The documents are +all preserved and published; and the whole business, though it agitated +the public at various periods, in 1806[173] and 1813, in 1820 and 1821, +was at all times degrading to the national character, disgusting and +tiresome to those who viewed public affairs with any philosophy, nearly +devoid of interest to me, and entirely devoid of it to posterity. + +Suffice it to say that the Regent, on the death of Mr. Perceval, wished +once more to revive inquiries into the conduct of the Princess, with +the prospect of getting rid of her; while she, availing herself of the +hopes excited by the increasing importance of the heir-presumptive, +her daughter, was studious to court popularity and pity for the +purpose of gratifying her resentment and mortifying her husband and +persecutor. Hence he referred all the documents and papers relating to +the investigation of 1806, together with suggestions of new matter of +suspicion, to his Ministers and Privy Council; and she, on hearing the +rumour thereof, wrote to the Speaker of the House of Commons and to the +Prince Regent himself. She consulted Mr. Brougham professionally; and Mr. +Whitbread, secretly instigated by Mr. Creevey, eagerly espoused her cause +both prospectively and retrospectively. + +He[174] thereby involved Sir Samuel Romilly, Lord Erskine, and Lord +Ellenborough, and indeed the whole Ministry of 1806 and the leaders +of the party with whom he was acting, in one sweeping charge of base +servility to the Prince and injustice to a persecuted and innocent woman. +In a yet more unfriendly manner he concealed his intentions from those +he was so ready to suspect and accuse. So far from seeking any private +explanation before he made a public attack, he walked down to the House +of Commons with Lord Grey on March 17, and never consulted him on the +communications he had received from Mrs. Lisle,[175] which he read +that very day in his place; though they, and yet more the remarks of +Mr. Whitbread upon them, tended to inculpate the Commissioners and the +Cabinet of 1806 in a transaction which they alone could explain and of +which he himself was utterly ignorant. The statements he made were in +themselves incorrect, the inferences he drew unfair, and the impression +he laboured to produce most injurious to the character of persons he +professed to respect. The four Commissioners, Lord Ellenborough, Lord +Erskine, Lord Spencer, and Lord Grenville, vindicated themselves on +a subsequent day in the House of Lords; but the intemperate language +of Lord Ellenborough, who nicknamed Whitbread “Folly,” and said his +assertions were “as false as Hell,” somewhat diverted attention from the +rashness of the popular orator to the violence of the Chief Justice, +and divided the censure and indignation of the Whig party pretty +equally between the two injudicious combatants. The result of the whole +affair was to recognise the right in the Prince Regent to regulate all +intercourse with his daughter, to convey a strong public censure of any +revival of proceedings against the Princess, and to show that the power +to which her husband had been raised, and in the exercise of which he +was so strongly supported in Parliament, had not diminished one tittle of +his personal unpopularity. + +Before the Princess of Wales made her appeal to Parliament and the +public, her counsel solemnly but secretly conjured her not to proceed, if +on recollection she could charge herself with any impropriety or levity +of conduct, much less with anything approaching to criminality[176]; but +she, with that courage which characterised her throughout and supplied +the place, if it did not imply the reality, of innocence, was all for +defiance. Her advisers had, perhaps, not so much confidence in her +veracity as admiration of her intrepidity, and were not entirely relieved +from their anxiety about the consequences by her boldness in facing +them. But shortly afterwards all their fears were unexpectedly allayed +by a manœuvre of Lord Moira. In the hope of alarming Mr. Whitbread with +the consequences of any serious investigation about the conduct of the +Princess, that zealous but injudicious friend of the Prince spontaneously +communicated all the charges and, if I mistake not, all the evidence that +had been prepared against Her Royal Highness, to her immediate friends +and advisers, _viz._, Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Creevey, and Mr. Brougham. From +that time they knew the extent of the case against their client, and, +deeming it insufficient, proceeded in good heart, without hesitation or +delay. + +In the course of these transactions, and yet more in those which ensued, +relating to the pecuniary provision for Her Royal Highness and her +departure from England in 1814, they had opportunities of discovering +in the character of their royal client many qualities less respectable +than that courage which was termed by her friends intrepidity, and to +which her enemies gave a harsher name. She showed a total disregard of +truth, and a want of all gratitude, justice, or feeling to those who +served her. As I do not wish to revert to this subject, I shall here +mention my notion of the real solution of all the conduct of this exalted +but uninteresting lady. I am satisfied that she was always in a state +bordering on insanity, and sometimes actually insane. I should add, +however, that this persuasion of a contemporary is founded on a knowledge +of her actions and language _as repeated by others_, not on any personal +observation.[177] + +I never conversed with her but three times. On the first occasion, when +I met her accidentally in a small and crowded inn in the Apennines, +she conducted herself not only with courtesy, but with great taste, +delicacy, and propriety. In two visits which I paid Her Royal Highness +at Naples, her manner was hurried and her conversation strange; but +there was nothing indecorous or incoherent enough to infer any positive +aberration of intellect, though sufficient to suggest to my mind the +possibility of her being liable, as well as others of her family, to +that dreadful infirmity. A strange fatality seemed to attend her and +all who approached her. Those who accused and those who defended her, +the Prince, the Ministers, the Parliament, and the people, all who took +any prominent part either in her condemnation or triumph, degraded +themselves, and appear to me to have lost all discretion and judgment. +The truth is that the frequency and violence of the ferment raised by the +petty and unprofitable spite of an irritated husband, and the levities, +irregularities, and extravagances of a lady, neither young nor handsome, +were severe comments on the institution of Monarchy, and the zeal +inspired in her favour by her persecutions, real or supposed, a no less +strong proof of the childish love for Royalty still prevalent in this +country. Strange indeed that neither war nor peace, laws nor liberties, +could excite so much anxiety in a free and civilised nation as the +personal character and comfort of two individuals, who had nothing but +their rank about them to raise interest or even curiosity! + +I revert to my narrative. The disasters of the French in the north had +compelled Napoleon to drain his army in Spain; and that circumstance, +combined with the skill and vigilance of Lord Wellington and the +unabated aversion of the Spaniards to the French, led to many brilliant +successes of the English in the Peninsula. In the spring of 1813 Joseph +and his Government abandoned Madrid, and before the end of June Lord +Wellington had gained the glorious battle of Vittoria, nearly on the +spot where the Black Prince defeated Du Guesclin four hundred and fifty +years before.[178] Lord Wellington, by the rapidity and skill of his +movements, executed in a masterly style by Sir G. Murray,[179] his very +able Quarter-Master-General, had intercepted and surprised the French. +Indeed, the signal victory he obtained at Vittoria was, like that of +Salamanca, as much owing to the superiority of his generalship as to +the courage of his troops. In the course of the ensuing three months he +drove the French beyond the frontiers, and soon became with his English, +Spanish, and Portuguese force the invader of France. Our Ministers were +too much elated with this success, with the disastrous retreat of the +French from Moscow, and with the prospect of the deliverance of Germany +by a Confederacy of Sweden, Russia, and Prussia, to make any reasonable +overtures of peace to the Emperor on his return to Paris. + +Anxious as I was for peace, I did not think it prudent to urge it upon +Parliament during the early part of the Session, from the following +considerations: + +1st. It was just possible that some negotiations might be on foot, and +that public discussion might be injurious to them. + +2ndly. Debate would have betrayed some difference of opinion among our +own friends; for Lord Grenville and others would have recommended our +insisting upon terms yet more extravagant than any which Ministers were +likely to suggest. + +3rdly. If there had been, as was shrewdly suspected, two parties in the +Cabinet, one disposed to negotiate with the Emperor Napoleon, the other +to stickle for a change of government in France, a motion for peace in +Parliament and the discussions thereupon would have tended to strengthen +the latter rather than the more pacific and moderate division of our +counsels. + +4thly and lastly. I must acknowledge that I thought a Ministry, composed +of Lords Liverpool, Sidmouth, and Castlereagh, to the full as likely +to adopt moderate counsels, from a sense of their convenience, as the +Parliament or the public, in their then state of elation, to enforce them. + +In the meanwhile, the silence of the Allied Powers during the winter +had impressed the people of France with a belief that their pretensions +were unreasonable, and the spirit and genius of Napoleon enabled him to +draw forth once more the immense resources of his Empire, to recruit his +armies, and to resume the field in the month of April. His first efforts +were fortunate; but he, like his adversaries, lost the opportunity of +acting with moderation and magnanimity in the hour of prosperity. He +agreed, indeed, to an armistice, and affected to negotiate for peace; +but he was so unreasonable in his demands, and so obviously averse to +any permanent adjustment of the interests of all parties, that not only +were hostilities renewed, but the Court of Vienna was provoked by him +or induced by the Allies to join in the Confederacy against him. I am +inclined to ascribe the fluctuation in the Austrian counsels to real +weakness and irresolution, and not to duplicity. The latter quality, +however, is the weapon most congenial to the taste and best adapted to +the faculties of that cowardly and ignorant Court, when it wishes to +resent an injury or ruin an enemy. + +Before Parliament broke up I urged, in a speech, a motion, and a protest, +my conviction that a favourable period for negotiation had been allowed +to elapse; and though the course of events, and above all the misconduct +of the French Government, retrieved the error, I do not repent having +recorded such an opinion, or dread the judgment of such impartial persons +hereafter as will be at the pains of examining all the circumstances in +which we are placed. + +On the rupture of the truce the tide of success set in for the +Confederates. In number and in spirit they overpowered the French, and +not only the fortune but the genius of Napoleon seems for a short season +to have abandoned him.[180] He permitted his enemies to encircle and his +allies to betray him in a manner that half his usual military skill or +political sagacity would have prevented. This period of unaccountable +error terminated in the great battle of Leipsic on October 18, 1813, a +battle fatal to the predominance of Napoleon in Europe, and the only +action in his eventful career derogatory to his skill as a General. He +was circumvented and defeated in a way that persons unpractised in war +had for several weeks predicted that he would be, and by armies commanded +by men not only inferior to him, but [in] no wise eminent for talents, +experience, or judgment. One of the critical moments of this great battle +was decided in favour of the Allies by the promptitude and gallantry of +Sir Robert Wilson, who, without any actual command, rallied a large body +of troops when yielding to the fire of the enemy—a brilliant exploit +which the Emperor Alexander in person rewarded by bestowing on the field +great military honours on Sir Robert.[181] He received also in the course +of a few days from every member of the Confederacy some of those tokens +of approbation, which they were afterwards base and silly enough to +recall. + +The news of the victory of Leipsic reached London on the eve of the +meeting of Parliament. The Prince Regent’s Speech was, I believe, altered +to introduce an allusion to that great event. It was admirably composed. +Some exultation was natural, and it was there; but it was not insolent, +and there was more moderation towards both France and America than could +well have been expected. Neither Lord Grey nor Mr. Ponsonby came up to +the opening of Parliament. Lord Grenville had shown an inclination not +only to support the war, but to urge Ministers to continue it, with a +view of wresting further conquests from France: he was even disposed +to _lament_ the Spanish campaigns as having exhausted our means of +assisting our Allies in the North. From these topics, however, he was +dissuaded by Lord Grey, with whom he corresponded. The apprehension of +Whitbread moving for peace, so far from deterring Lord Grenville from +warlike language, manifestly furnished an additional inducement. The +temperate Speech from the Throne disarmed all persons who were disposed +to move for peace, and Mr. Whitbread defeated all projects, if there were +any, for widening the breach between him and the Grenville branch of +Opposition, by supporting Ministers cordially on questions of subsidies, +militia, and war. “Not the first time,” observed Mr. Grenville, in a tone +of disappointment, “that he has shown dexterity in avoiding an actual +rupture.” + +In the Lords, the Duke of Sussex and Lord Wellesley expressed their +exultation at the events of the campaign, and their approbation of +the temper in which the Speech was conceived. Lord Grenville told +Lord Wellesley, when he sat down, that he differed with him and must +animadvert on his being so very pacific; but on my expostulating with +him and requesting him to forbear, with an acknowledgment that if he +disclaimed the pacific sentiments of Lord Wellesley I must attempt to +maintain them or leave the House, he very good-humouredly abstained from +all allusion to what Lord Wellesley had said, and confined himself to +the speech which he had originally intended to deliver. His expressions +were measured, but the general tone of his language was more warlike than +I liked or approved. The impression that it was more warlike than that +of Ministers was prevalent in the House at the time and in the country +afterwards. I felt a repugnance to any agreement with Ministers rather +than with my friends, and to avoid all such appearance I gave a silent +vote for the address. + +Mr. Canning, jealous of the applause bestowed on Lord Grenville’s speech +by the lovers of war, came up some days afterwards and delivered a very +flowery harangue, in which he arrogated to the framers of former defeated +confederacies a large share of the merit of this, the only successful +one. He affected to distrust the Whigs in their support of the Ministry, +and laboured to render the contest as personal as he could against +Napoleon. He failed in his views. The Opposition, throughout the Session, +persisted in the line they had adopted at the commencement of it. They +purposely and studiously commended the temperate language of Government, +augured well of success, either in negotiation or by arms, from the +moderation of the views of Ministers, and exhorted them to act up to +their professions by abstaining from all interference with the Government +of France, and from all endeavours to impose any particular dynasty +either on a friendly or a conquered people. + +One transaction only was open to any animadversion. On the reverses of +the French in Germany, a counter-revolution had taken place in Holland. +From the thoughtless impetuosity of the multitude or from some cabal +among designing politicians, the populace, not content with restoring the +Prince of Orange, bestowed on him the title of King, which his family had +never enjoyed and which his countrymen had in better times regarded with +aversion.[182] The Prince himself would have been satisfied, possibly +better satisfied, with the Stadtholderate. Even the English Ministers +disclaimed any direct participation in the measure, though some of them, +and more of their supporters at Court, could not suppress their triumph +at the suppression of the very name of Republic, which the fashionable +and servile seemed to regard like an indecent word, unfit to be mentioned +in company. The war, as Mr. Sheridan observed, which had originated in an +alarm lest all Europe should become a Republic, ended in converting every +Republic therein into a Monarchy or a dependency on some Monarchy. + +The events in Holland encouraged the Prince Regent and others in their +hopes (strange ones for a Prince of the House of Brunswick) of restoring +the Bourbons in France on the principle of divine hereditary right, +ill-concealed under the specious title of legitimacy. Lord Castlereagh, +however, who left England for Holland after an adjournment of Parliament, +unusually long, at the end of December, 1813, certainly neither harboured +nor encouraged at that period any such design. Soon after his arrival +in Holland, and early in January, 1814, the great bodies of the Allied +armies passed the frontiers of France on the Spanish, Swiss, and German +sides, and were pressing forward with unequal but uninterrupted success +to the centre of the Empire. Napoleon agreed to and even offered +negotiations; and Lord Castlereagh, as English Plenipotentiary, accepted +his passports, and met the Ministers of the various Confederate Powers +and General Caulaincourt, the French negotiator, at Chatillon, with the +professed purpose, and, as I believe, with the earnest expectation of +concluding a treaty of peace with the Emperor Napoleon. + +The situation of the plenipotentiaries was singular. Lord Castlereagh +and General Caulaincourt were personally sincere in their efforts for +a peace, which their respective Courts would perhaps have disclaimed, +and would certainly have regretted. Prussia and Russia and the other +Powers, some from pusillanimity, some from revenge, some from distrust +of Austria, were desirous of dethroning Napoleon; while Austria herself +would have willingly promoted that object, provided the Regency of France +could have been secured to the Empress Maria Louisa and the succession +to her son. In such counsels the Court of Vienna flattered itself that +it could, for a season at least, obtain considerable ascendancy. In the +meanwhile the Duke of Angoulême, secretly instigated by the Prince Regent +and invited perhaps through Lord Bathurst by Lord Wellington, joined the +armies of the latter General, in spite of the discouraging but at that +time correct remark of his cousin the Duke of Bourbon, who observed, “_Il +s’agit de nous nulle part._” + +The hope of separating Austria from the Confederacy, by awakening her +jealousy and gratifying her well-known appetite for territory, deterred +Napoleon from adopting the frank and direct line which would have best +served his interests as well as suited his character. Hence, when, in +the course of his spirited and almost miraculous defence, his efforts +were crowned with any transient success, he more naturally than wisely +recoiled from the ignominious necessity of signing a peace with hostile +armies in the heart of his Empire, and he had recourse to disgraceful +subterfuges to elude it. But his military genius never shone brighter +than in that painful campaign. It was seconded by the valour of his army, +now comparatively small, and by the spirit [of] his officers, the younger +part of whom more especially displayed a devotion to his cause and to his +person seldom, if ever, exceeded in history. But he must have perceived +that the mass of the people, harassed by long and repeated sacrifices, +distrustful perhaps lest high thoughts would return with any favourable +change of fortune, and unanimated by those illusions and hopes of liberty +which invigorated their defence of national independence in the early +part of the Revolution, were comparatively indifferent to the contest. +They plotted, indeed, neither for the Bourbons nor for the Republic, but +they sighed for peace. They listened, too, with more complacency than +became good subjects, or even good citizens, to those arguments which his +own late conduct at Prague had rendered so plausible, _viz._, that he was +the main obstacle to the attainment of general pacification. + +If such were the pardonable feelings of quiet, meek, and peaceable +spirits in the provinces, baser motives concurred with a desire for +tranquillity to engage some factions in Paris in a design of deposing the +great man whom they had contributed to elevate and to corrupt, and whom +they had for many years so abjectly served. Many, and among them Prince +Talleyrand,[183] had long since forfeited his favour. They had attempted +in the hour of his adversity to weaken his authority at home. If his +fortunes were restored, they thought they could not be forgiven. They +were, therefore, not merely ready to sacrifice Napoleon for peace, but +they were secretly desirous that the Allies should demand and obtain that +species of payment for the article. + +With this view Talleyrand and, I believe, the Duke Dalberg[184] fixed +upon a M. Vitrolles, a man of bad private character, to convey a message +to the Austrians.[185] Their object was confined to this simple inquiry: +“_What conditions would be imposed on France, should France dethrone or +abandon Napoleon?_” They were not aware that the man they had selected +was, in truth, a secret agent of the Bourbons. Their very precautions +enabled him to render them his dupes. They prudently abstained from all +writing. Talleyrand furnished him with a ring known to Prince Metternich, +which would give weight to his assertion that he was the bearer of a +message from Paris. He arrived at Chatillon with some difficulty. The +Allies were at that moment much exasperated with what they termed the +subterfuges and bad faith of Napoleon. They were on the eve of breaking +off the negotiations. They were disposed to insist on his deposal, +but still irresolute and possibly divided as to what revolution to +substitute as the price of peace to France. Austria had enforced her own +predisposition in favour of a Regency and the succession of the King of +Rome, by observing that the silence and apathy of all parts of France +within the lines of the Allies proved the contempt and oblivion into +which the persons and cause of the Bourbons had fallen. That just remark +was towards the end of the conferences at Chatillon more weakened in +appearance than in reality, by the declarations in favour of the exiled +family at Bordeaux, on the entrance of the English troops, on March 12, +1814. + +Though there was hardly time for all the details and intrigues of that +transaction to have reached Chatillon, the Allies were probably aware +that it was the contrivance of one or two busy merchants connected +with England by commerce and by blood, and instigated by foreigners +or emigrants rather than any spontaneous effusion of popular feeling +which led to the display of the White Cockade in that city, where the +distresses occasioned by war with England are, however, always more +felt than in any other part of France.[186] The officious loyalty of +Mr. Lynch, the head of an Irish house in Bordeaux, however agreeable +to Louis XVIII. or to the Prince Regent, would hardly have swayed the +determination of the Congress of Chatillon. But when M. Vitrolles, after +producing for his credentials the ring of Prince Talleyrand, artfully +gave to his mission the character of a communication rather than an +inquiry, and asserted that Talleyrand and others had formed their plot +and were anxiously expecting at Paris the Allied armies and a prompt +declaration in favour of the exiled family of Bourbon, the Austrians +themselves were overpowered by such evidence; and those who at all times +would have preferred the triumph of hereditary despotism over any other +form of government, naturally concluded that considerations of prudence +were no longer in the way of their favourite measure. + +Such, according to the report of many well-informed persons to me,[187] +was the intrigue by which the Sovereigns were ultimately led to espouse +the cause of the Bourbons. It is certain that when the armies did +arrive at Paris the Allies were much surprised to find no conspiracy +for the Bourbons actually organised; and I believe that Talleyrand, on +the first explanation, was no less surprised at finding that his name +had been quoted to the Sovereigns as advising the restoration of the +Bourbons. He was too quicksighted not to make a virtue of necessity, +and too dexterous, when he found the restoration unavoidable, not to +father the spurious child which had been so unexpectedly sworn to him by +the prostitute who had conceived it. The Prince Regent, who had hardly +concealed his alarm lest the conferences at Chatillon should terminate in +a treaty, and who, from petty motives and despicable prejudices incident +to his nature and his station, had always panted for the restoration +of the Bourbons, represented and probably thought this accidental +consummation of his wishes the result of his personal sagacity and great +exertions in their cause. When this was related to Mr. Sheridan, and it +was added that the Prince Regent assumed the merit of the campaigns and +the termination of them in the restoration of Louis XVIII., he drily +remarked, “No, surely! I thought it was the abundant harvest on which he +chiefly plumed himself.” + +The facility with which the vanity of His Royal Highness often admitted +and seemed to believe that great actions to which he could not have +contributed originated with him, was on many occasions ludicrous. +He spoke of battles, at which it was notorious he could not have +been present, in the direct terms of an eye witness; and he gravely +remonstrated with Mr. Westmacott[188] for omitting him in the sketch of a +_bas-relief_ which represented the battle of Waterloo. It must, however, +be acknowledged that he might more plausibly attribute the restoration +of the Bourbons in 1814 to his personal exertions than at first sight +appears, for there is reason to suspect that he not only sent the Duke +of Angoulême to Bordeaux, but that he intrigued at home and abroad to +convert his own Ministers and Foreign Powers to the persuasion of the +propriety and even necessity of that measure. In the military events he +had, indeed, no share, as he never quitted England and never witnessed an +action. They were too various and extensive for any one not conversant in +such matters even to recount very intelligibly, but they are fortunately +too well known to require a place in such notes as I have undertaken to +write. + +Of the Allies, the Prussians showed most zeal and enterprise; the +Russians most method and constancy; and the Austrians least military +skill or prowess. It was remarkable that the armies of those three Powers +defeated the first General of his age at Leipsic, pursued him into the +heart of his populous Empire, and finally wrested from him his capital +and his crown, without establishing one military reputation or furnishing +history with one name which, either in war or politics, will swell the +catalogue of great men. Schwarzenberg was a mere cypher; Blucher at +best a dashing huzzar; and among the Russians there was not a single man +prominent enough to require either notice or character. Never were such +vast objects obtained by more insignificant personages. It is gratifying +to an Englishman to observe that these remarks do not apply to Lord +Wellington. He was a great man in the field, and a more considerable +one in a Cabinet than his sorry exhibitions in the Senate led the +Parliamentary public to suppose. + +When he resumed offensive operations in the Peninsula he had to contend +with Soult, the Duke of Dalmatia, one of the ablest of the captains +of Napoleon. He baffled all his manœuvres, and gained more than one +pitched battle over his troops; and then closed his brilliant campaign +by a hard-fought action in which he was successful, on April 10, near +Toulouse, so many days after the entrance of the Allies into Paris, the +decree of the Senate, and even the abdication of Napoleon, that either +great neglect had occurred in conveying intelligence to the French +generals, or Marshal Soult is answerable for an unnecessary effusion of +blood,[189] like that imputed to William III. at St. Denis, near Mons, in +1678. + +Of the transactions immediately connected with the abdication of +Napoleon at Fontainebleau and the counter-revolution at Paris, it would +be superfluous to speak more.[190] Louis, long represented as dying, +revived with the thoughts of reigning. He came to Grillon’s Hotel, +Albemarle Street.[191] London was crowded with equipages and attendants +covered with that ancient badge of pure hereditary despotism, the white +cockade, which, whether as the symbol of the Stuarts or of the Bourbons, +would have been construed into an overt act of treason at almost any +other period since the acknowledgment of the Parliamentary title of the +House of Brunswick. The Prince Regent with his own hand bestowed the +Garter on Louis. Much emotion was affected on the occasion; but the two +actors were too unwieldy, too old, and above all too well known, to +excite any great interest in that flat and insipid exhibition. + +The French King was conveyed to his native shore from Dover by the Duke +of Clarence. On his arrival at Paris, the same white symbol of ancient +servitude and modern rebellion was substituted for the tricolor cockade, +long endeared to the French army by the sacred rights of which it was an +emblem and by the recollection of numberless victories in which it had +been worn. In the same spirit, the restored Prince assumed the title of +Louis the _Eighteenth_, thereby proclaiming himself heir to the rights +which the nation had neglected or denied, and not merely of those they +had instituted and acknowledged. He contrived to evade, or to alter even, +the conditions of his recall. The Emperor of Russia himself affected to +lament the adherence of the restored dynasty to ancient and exploded +notions, and a remark of Prince Talleyrand’s on the Royalists was much +repeated, namely, that they had _forgotten_ nothing and _learnt_ nothing +during their emigration.[192] + +Peace was signed at Paris on May 30, 1814. The Confederates, with a view +of reconciling the French to the counter-revolution, either generously or +foolishly abstained from imposing such conditions on the House of Bourbon +as the respective situation of their forces would have enabled and +entitled them to exact from France. Lord Castlereagh neglected to insist +on the general, immediate, and final abolition of the Slave Trade.[193] +The Saints,[194] and indeed the public in England, were deeply +disappointed at this omission, which, whether oversight or design, +betrayed indifference in the cause. It was, at least, no matter of +surprise to those who reflected that the English Ministry was exclusively +composed of men who, during the long controversy on that subject, had +uniformly signalised themselves as the enemies of the abolition, and +represented the zeal in its favour as the enthusiasm of visionaries or +the pretences of designing hypocrites. + +Lord Wellington had the bad taste to accept of the Embassy to Paris—a +station which he filled with less credit to himself than any to which his +fortune had called him. + +The Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia visited England early in +June. The Emperor of Austria had been expected, but pleaded business or +health as an excuse. If his object was to ingratiate himself with the +Prince Regent, he did not act injudiciously in absenting himself. The +King of Prussia attracted little notice, either in society or among the +populace. He appeared what he was—a plain soldier and mere corporal, and +he was overshadowed by his own dragoon, General Blucher, whose coarse and +jovial manners, the result of vulgar ignorance and military good-humour, +together with his veteran appearance, rendered him a prodigious favourite +with the multitude. Alexander very reasonably excited more curiosity +and interest. His extensive empire, his inordinate and uncontrolled +power, his age, and even his personal qualities, which, though not +extraordinary, were far superior to those of his brother Sovereigns, his +recent popularity at Paris, and a thousand other circumstances, made him +an object of attention to all who affected or felt any concern in the +events of the political world. Moreover, he lay out for popularity; he +acted his part decently in society and very well in public. A monarch +younger than himself, thus caressing and caressed by an English crowd, +afforded no gratification to the Prince Regent; and he could not but +be nettled at a foreign Prince, manifestly observant of such matters, +becoming a witness to his personal unpopularity in the streets and to the +liberties taken both with his Administration and his family in Parliament. + +From contrivance or from accident a conversation arose in the Commons +on subjects connected with the Princess of Wales on the very day the +Sovereigns visited that House.[195] It was as notorious as it was strange +that while the cannon were actually announcing the signature of peace by +victorious generals in the capital of the enemy, the Prince Regent was +pursued in his passage from Carlton to Buckingham House by the hisses +and execrations of the people! These were not agreeable scenes to be +exhibited to such foreign spectators. + +It is true that when the Sovereigns accompanied His Royal Highness into +the city no such marks of displeasure escaped from the throngs who +pressed upon them, but even then the populace were at some pains to +make it manifest that affection for their own Prince had no share in +reconciling them to the cavalcade or assemblage of Monarchs, which they +applauded. It was obvious that Alexander remarked these appearances: it +was, moreover, whispered at Court that he and his sister, the Duchess +of Oldenburg, had been busy in estranging the mind of the Princess +Charlotte from a marriage with Henry, the Prince of Orange,[196] then +in contemplation. It is certain that a matrimonial alliance took place +soon afterwards between that Prince and an Arch-duchess of Russia. The +apprehension of having been outwitted in a political intrigue by the +two Russian visitors exasperated the Prince Regent not a little, and +all these considerations produced in his mind a strong personal dislike +to the Emperor Alexander. It was shrewdly suspected that the scheme of +marriage, thus frustrated by the Russians, had been entertained by the +Court of Carlton House, with the double view of removing from the eyes of +the public the object of their growing idolatry and from the Princess of +Wales the only person in whose society she could find any resource and +from whose affections she could derive any support. On the other hand, +it is just to add that the advisers of the Prince Regent have maintained +that his principal motive in pressing an immediate marriage, and possibly +in preferring one which would lead to occasional absences from England, +was a knowledge and dread of the singular impropriety, both of conduct +and conversation, of her mother, and a well-grounded suspicion of a +systematic design in that quarter of involving Princess Charlotte in +imprudent, if not criminal, intercourse with young officers and men of +gallantry and adventure. + +Stories of that sort, well or ill authenticated, certainly formed an +original part of the green bag of 1820;[197] and the readiness with which +the Prince Regent and the old Queen acquiesced in, and even promoted, +the subsequent marriage with Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, though not +suggested by either of them,[198] is some presumptive proof that an +early marriage, and not absence, was the object they had chiefly in +view. The conduct of the young lady, if not indecorous, was at least +intrepid enough. She showed strong dispositions to continue the habit +of the Brunswick family, and, had she lived, a disunion between the +child and the parent would in all probability have been as prominent a +feature in the reign of George IV. as it had been in those of his three +predecessors. She peremptorily declined marriage with the Prince of +Orange, and in her letter to him contrived to assign the two motives most +unpalatable to her father, _viz._, a repugnance to any residence abroad +and a strong affection for her mother. The letter was as follows: + + WARWICK HOUSE, _16 June, 1814_. + + After reconsidering, according to your wishes, the conversation + that passed between us this morning, I am still of opinion + the duties and affections that naturally bind us to our own + respective countries render our marriage incompatible, not only + from motives of policy, but domestic happiness. From recent + circumstances that have occurred I am fully convinced that + my interest is naturally connected with that of my mother, + and that my residence out of this Kingdom would be equally + prejudicial to her interests and my own; as I can never forget + the maternal claims she has upon my duty and attachment. I am + equally aware of the claims your country has upon you. It was + this consideration, added to the desire I had of complying + with your wishes, which induced me some time ago to agree to + accompany you to Holland, if I obtained satisfactory security + of having it in my power to return. Since that time the many + unforeseen events that have occurred, particularly those + regarding the Princess,[199] make me feel it impossible to quit + England at present, or to enter into any engagement leading to + it at a future time. + + After what has passed this morning between us (which was much + too conclusive to require explanation), I must consider our + engagement from this moment to be _totally and for ever at an + end_. I leave the explanation of this affair to be made by you + to the Prince in whatever manner is most agreeable to you, + trusting it entirely to your honour (of which for a moment + I never doubted). I cannot conclude without expressing the + sincere concern I feel in being the cause of giving you pain; + which feeling, however, is lessened in a degree by the hope I + stand acquitted in your eyes of having acted dishonourably by + you in the course of this business, or of having ever raised + false hopes in your mind with respect to my consenting to a + residence abroad. You must recollect that in a letter from me + to yours of May 3, that I told you that it was impossible for + me to give any promise on that subject, as it must totally + depend on circumstances. + + It only now remains for me to entreat you to accept my + sincerest and best wishes for your happiness, and to express + the friendship and interest I shall always feel towards you. + + (Signed) CHARLOTTE.[200] + +[Illustration: _Princess Charlotte_ + +_Sir T. Lawrence, P.R.A. Pinx._ + +_Emery Walker Ph. Sc._] + +The selection of topics in the above letter was unquestionably as +offensive as it could be to the Prince Regent. The unforeseen events +regarding the Princess of Wales were: her late exclusion from Court, +her husband’s declaration that he would never meet her, her appeal to +Parliament in a letter to the Speaker, and the discussions that arose +thereupon.[201] The Prince was exceedingly irritated, and, after various +altercations with his daughter, in which according to her account many +menaces were resorted to, exasperated or alarmed her so much that she +suddenly eloped on July 12, and conveyed herself in a hackney coach to +her mother’s house in Connaught Place. She did so _certainly_ without +legal advice, and I have been always assured without any concert with +the Princess of Wales, who, after consulting Mr. Brougham and the Duke +of Sussex, persuaded her to return.[202] The only use that Princess +Charlotte made of her strange and indecorous _escapade_, was to record a +solemn declaration _while she was at liberty_, that she had herself, of +her own free will, broken off the match with the Prince of Orange, and +that it should never take place. + +Soon after these transactions, or rather while they were passing, I left +England, and spent the remainder of the year 1814 abroad. I consequently +know little or nothing that occurred in this country from that time +till the renewal of war in 1815 that is not to be found in newspapers, +Parliamentary reports, and _Annual Registers_. + + + + +INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE FOURTH + + +The Treaty of Paris in 1814 had materially assisted to restore Europe to +its condition of a quarter of a century before; but the new spirit of +republicanism, inspired by the doctrines of the French Revolution, had in +most cases forced upon the restored Sovereigns a growing regard for the +comfort and welfare of their subjects. + +Spain was an unfortunate exception of this happy state of affairs. +Ferdinand, at best little more than a buffoon, celebrated his return to +power by renouncing the Constitution of 1812 and persecuting its chief +supporters. The Spaniards, blind to everything but their veneration +of the name of Monarchy, gave him their entire confidence. This +unfortunately was completely misplaced; the state of the people became as +it was in the worst period of Charles IV.’s reign, and the country again +became a prey to the rapacity of favourites and the extortions of an +unscrupulous clergy. + +The re-establishment of the Bourbons in France commenced more peacefully, +but rumours of serious disaffection were soon rife in Paris. Louis +XVIII. had granted a charter on his return, framed on very liberal and +enlightened lines, but his weakness in pandering to the emigrants and +the clergy created much disaffection, especially in the army. + +The Congress held at Vienna had many difficulties with which to contend; +and the meetings barely escaped an abrupt termination. A secret +combination of England, France, and Austria was formed to resist the +designs of Russia and Prussia on Poland and Saxony; but fortunately +matters were successfully arranged, and before the chance for further +dissension could arise, complete unanimity was restored by the news +of the escape of Napoleon from Elba. The deposed Emperor, who had +received information of the fact that the people of France were not +satisfied with their present rulers, landed near Cannes on February +26, and advanced north. The country rallied to him as one man, and +within a month he entered Paris. Any hopes, however, that he may have +had of a peaceful retention of France were soon dispelled. The Allied +Sovereigns at once renewed their pledges of combined action; Napoleon was +proclaimed an outlaw, and steps were concerted to cope with the common +danger. Murat took up arms in Italy to assist his former master, but was +easily overthrown by the Austrians, and his forces dispersed. Napoleon, +preferring to fight outside the borders of France, advanced into Belgium +at the head of 129,000 men. The campaign, which lasted less than a week, +terminated at Waterloo. Napoleon fled first to Paris, and afterwards to +Rochefort, whence he hoped to escape to the United States accompanied +by a few faithful adherents. He was, however, unable to carry out his +design, and in despair went on board an English man-of-war, throwing +himself on the mercy of the Prince Regent. The British Government, +determined on this occasion to choose some spot whence there could be no +possibility of return, fixed on St. Helena, and Napoleon ended his days +there in 1821. + +Louis XVIII. was restored to the throne on the re-occupation of Paris by +the Allies. The second Treaty of Paris was signed in November, after much +discussion as to the terms to be imposed. By the most important clauses, +France was to pay indemnities amounting to about £40,000,000, and to +defray the cost of an occupation of the northern provinces by an Allied +force of 150,000 men for five years. In the meanwhile, the members of +the Congress of Vienna had continued and terminated their endeavours to +effect a lasting settlement of Europe. The kingdom of Poland was included +in the dominions of the Czar; half Saxony and the Duchy of Warsaw were +joined to Prussia; the smaller German states were federated; and other +international questions, such as the Abolition of the Slave Trade, +received serious attention. + +The restoration of the Bourbons was the signal for a political reaction +throughout France, which in parts of the country developed tendencies +reminiscent of the Revolution. Royalist outbreaks took place in the +south on the receipt of the news of Napoleon’s overthrow, and continued +with violence until forcibly repressed with the assistance of the army +of occupation. The election of the Chamber, which took place in August, +1815, resulted in a complete victory for the Ultra-Royalists, to the +almost entire exclusion of the Liberal and Republican parties. Fouché and +Talleyrand were dismissed, and a new Ministry was formed under the Duc +de Richelieu, which at once took in hand the prosecution of those men +excepted by name from the Acts of Amnesty. Most of them had been sensible +enough to leave the country, but some had remained, and of these Ney and +Labedoyère paid the penalty for their temerity. The policy of the new +Ministry, whose hands were forced by the violence of their supporters, +became more and more advanced, and within two years the _rôles_ of the +two parties seemed reversed, the _Ultras_ attempting to weaken the Royal +power, and the Liberals to support the monarchy. The allied forces, under +the supreme command of Wellington, continued their occupation of the +French territories until 1818, when they were withdrawn. + +The final termination of a war which had increased the English National +Debt by over £550,000,000, raised hopes in the breasts of the people of +England, which unfortunately proved to be fallacious. The nation expected +that an alleviation of the grievous burden of taxation from which it +had been suffering would be accompanied by a revival of trade. The year +1815 certainly seemed to foretell happier times, but the following year +witnessed a reaction which plunged the poorer portion of the population +in the direst distress. The propertied and influential classes, terrified +at the excesses of the French Revolution, strained every nerve to +discount all popular movements. A Corn Law, passed in 1815, forbidding +the importation of corn until the price reached 80_s._ a quarter, as +well as the repeal of the Property Tax, increased the destitution of +the agricultural labourers and dwellers in the manufacturing towns. +The discontent and agitation were encouraged by William Cobbett’s +paper, _The Weekly Register_, which advocated universal suffrage and +annual parliaments. The Regent, on his return from the House of Lords +in 1816, was assailed by stones, while riots and seditious meetings +were common throughout the country. Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary, +covering the weakness of Government with a specious appearance of power, +carried the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, and originated other +arbitrary forms of repression. These, however, were insufficient to +quell the disturbances. Meetings were held in all parts of England, and +the celebrated riot near Manchester in 1819, known as the “Massacre of +Peterloo,” raised a storm of protests against the stringent enactments +carried by Lord Liverpool’s Administration. The laws, however, in +restraint of sedition, termed “The Six Acts,” which were passed during +the same year, had their effect; and a revival of trade in 1820 caused a +momentary lull in the radical campaign for reform. + +Many deaths occurred in the Royal Family during 1817 and the three +succeeding years. In 1817 Princess Charlotte, the Prince Regent’s only +child, who had married Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg during the preceding +year, died in childbirth; and a year later occurred the death of Queen +Charlotte. Early in January, 1820, the Duke of Kent died, leaving an only +daughter, destined to succeed to the throne as Queen Victoria; and before +the end of the month George III. terminated his miserable and sorely +afflicted existence. + +The accession of the Prince Regent again brought into public notice +the unhappy dissensions between him and his wife. He entirely refused +to allow her name to be inserted in the Prayer Book; and on her return +to England to assert her rights as Queen Consort, he compelled the +Government to bring the matter forward in Parliament. Lord Liverpool, +realising that the measure would increase George IV.’s unpopularity with +his subjects, implored him to be content with moderate counsels; but the +King, firm in his resolve, refused to be satisfied with anything less +than a divorce. Queen Caroline’s arrival in London was little less than +a triumphal procession, and demonstrated clearly the sympathy of the +country with her cause. After a secret Committee had reported on the +case, a bill was brought forward against her in the House of Lords, in +the summer of 1820, but was dropped for good and all in October, when the +Government majority, on the third reading, dwindled to nine. The unhappy +lady did not long survive, for she died of internal inflammation early in +August, 1821, after a fruitless attempt, not three weeks before, to take +her place at her husband’s Coronation. + +The five years which succeeded the termination of the war on the +Continent passed without any striking incident; but in 1820 movements +were set on foot in several of the Mediterranean States, notably Spain, +Italy, and Greece, to obtain more liberal forms of government. In Spain +the restoration of the Constitution of 1812, withdrawn by the arbitrary +decree of Ferdinand VII. in 1814, was successfully demanded, and the +movement spread with like results to Portugal. + +The insurgents at Naples were not equally fortunate in their attempts +to diminish the tyrannical powers of their King, Ferdinand IV. The +question was discussed by a Congress of European Sovereigns at Laybach, +who decided that Ferdinand should be allowed to retain his arbitrary +powers uncurtailed, and that an Austrian army should be sent to enforce +their resolution. Great Britain took no part in this despotic action of +the Powers; and the exemption of Spain from external interference was +chiefly due to a protest from the English Government against the right of +the Allied Powers to intervene in the internal affairs and government of +other States. + + + + +BOOK THE FOURTH + +1815-1821 + +N.B.—This book contains notes for Memoirs from the summer of 1815 [to the +autumn of 1821]. + +It was not begun till 1830, and _many_ of the facts are from memory, +unassisted by notes taken at the time, though refreshed generally by +reference to some correspondence or document.—V.H. + + +When I transcribed my notes for Memoirs in 1825, I meant that they should +end at the close of the year 1814. I proposed to confine all my future +labours of the kind to the completion of two supplementary chapters +already begun, one of which related to foreign characters and events, +and is now brought down to the year 1815,[203] and the other,[204] still +in hand, relates to such as having fallen within my observation either +in England or elsewhere before 1815, seem to me, albeit unconnected with +politics, not destitute of interest. + +It is not necessary to account, much less to apologise, for having at +one time abandoned a task which I had voluntarily imposed upon myself. +It may with more reason be expected that I should explain my motives in +resuming it now. The truth is, that the third expulsion of the Bourbons +from France in July, 1830, has in some little degree revived in my breast +the spirits and hopes which animated me at an earlier period of life: + + Agnosco veteris vestigia flammæ. + +Moreover, the accession of King William, to whom my son[205] is attached +both by connection and gratitude, makes it possible that I may be privy +to the secret causes of public and party transactions, although neither +my age, position, nor inclinations render it likely that I either can or +shall take a more active part in them than I have done for fifteen years +past.[206] Of the events of these fifteen years my report must be rapid +and imperfect. I have taken little share in party councils during that +period, and have preserved few memorials of the events, especially of the +first five. + +I returned to England in the summer of 1815—the day, I believe, that the +Emperor Napoleon was brought to our shores in a British man-of-war, and +after the second restoration of the Bourbons had been virtually effected. +To both those restorations it is strange but true that the personal +character and predilections of George IV. had mainly contributed. On +the first occasion, without the knowledge of Lord Castlereagh and the +Ministers, he connived at, if he did not contrive, the arrival of the +Bourbon Princes at Bordeaux and other places in France, and during the +negotiations at Chatillon he resorted to many underhand manœuvres to +prevent any termination of them which did not include the restoration of +the pretended legitimate dynasty. + +To the presence, intrigues, and misrepresentations of the almost +forgotten faction of the Bourbons, as well as to a variety of mistakes +and accidents elsewhere recounted,[207] the result of the Emperor of +Russia’s arrival at Paris in 1814 is mainly to be attributed. Austria was +averse, Russia was indifferent to, the restoration of the Bourbons, and +Prussia was exclusively bent on vengeance and aggrandisement; and the +Regent of England was almost the only man in his own councils, as well +as the only Prince in the Confederacy, really desirous of accomplishing +that object. It is not perhaps equally known, but it is equally true, +that there was, in 1815, equal and greater indifference in the Allied +Powers, amounting to an unwillingness to confer on Louis XVIII. all the +advantages which the prodigious efforts of Europe had wrested from his +antagonist. The experiences of one year have given them an insight into +the personal character of the restored Princes, and still more of the +ungrateful and unreasonable faction which accompanied them. This would +have led Austria, Russia, and Prussia to acquiesce in any arrangement +cheerfully which afforded a prospect of preserving peace, even though it +had altered what is miscalled the legitimate succession of the Monarchy. + +The Prince Regent and Duke of Wellington exploded all such notions. +They treated the restoration of Louis XVIII. as an indispensable part +of the arrangement. The Duke of Wellington asked Louis if he preferred +being placed on his throne by Frenchmen or by foreigners. He answered, +“Decidedly by Frenchmen.” “Then,” replied Wellington, “there is but +one method and one man: you must employ Fouché.”[208] Reluctantly, and +with a bad grace, Louis consented. Fouché became Minister. But ere long +Fouché and the base, runaway emigrants whom he restored affected to +be so national that they treated the foreigners, and even the Duke of +Wellington himself, with indignity. The courtiers and the King himself +turned their backs upon him in so marked a way that the Duke resented it, +and did not return to the Tuileries till Monsieur (Charles X.) conveyed +an apology to him.[209] He wrote an account of this transaction home. The +letter was among those confided to and printed by Gurwood (from whom I +had the relation), but suppressed in the publication. + +During my absence from England in 1815, many changes had occurred in +the aspect of the party with whom I had uniformly acted. Mr. Whitbread, +who had for many years much influence, good and bad, on its fortunes, +had recently put a violent termination to his ever-active but useful +existence.[210] That lamentable event, as well as many of his defects, +might be traced to a restless impatience of contradiction, which, +resulting perhaps from physical causes, was unaccountably blended in his +very singular character with the earnest affection for individuals and +the most unquestionable benevolence towards mankind. Too honourable and +too conscientious to do what he thought wrong, he had, nevertheless, such +an appetite for applause, and had been so pampered with it by dependants +and sycophants, that when he foresaw it was about to cease or to be +converted by many who had administered it into censure and resistance, +he mistook their discontent with him for self-reproach, and he could not +endure it. + +Such was the real history of his suicide. He had extraordinary readiness +and indefatigable application in business, a warm heart, great +decision of character, and a good understanding. Though not without +some imagination, he was lamentably deficient in taste; yet by dint of +earnestness, assiduity, and practice he had made himself little less than +an orator and certainly a very able speaker in Parliament. Vanity often +made him impracticable. Flatterers and dependants engrossed his society, +and not unfrequently perverted his manners and judgment. His death, +though a great loss to the public, and yet more to his neighbourhood +and country, was more likely to heal than exasperate any dissension +in Opposition, for he loved to mark distinctions favourable to his own +popularity, and was, moreover, personally obnoxious to the Grenvilles. + +But there were other alterations in the state of the party. Our leaders +had espoused very opposite principles on one great branch of commercial +policy which was brought into agitation in 1814 and 1815. Lauderdale had +been the secret instigator, and was the open champion, of the restrictive +Corn Law[211] which Ministers had adopted. Grey’s real opinion, fortified +and perhaps inculcated by Lauderdale, leant towards any measure that +kept up the price of that article, and prevented any sudden reduction of +rents. Lord Grenville and Mr. Horner were decidedly friends to a free +trade; and the authority and sound philosophy of such men, coinciding +with the natural prejudices of the populace and the mischievous clamour +of some seditious writers, constituted a formidable opposition to a very +questionable, as well as unpopular, policy. Lord Grey, after hesitating +between his own and Lauderdale’s opinion on one side, and a desire of +harassing the Ministry under the sanction of Lord Grenville on the +other, pressed for a postponement of the question, and steered a course +deeply resented by Lauderdale, not quite agreeable to either party, +nor perhaps entirely creditable to himself.[212] He and Lord Grenville +had differed yet more openly on the war, the latter reverting to his +anti-Jacobin prejudices, and Grey maintaining nobly and ably the wisdom +and justice of not interfering. But the war was terminated by the victory +of Waterloo, the occupation of Paris, the forced restoration of Louis +XVIII., and the mass of treaties negotiated by the Prince Regent, Duke +of Wellington, and Lord Castlereagh, and vainly denominated by them +the final settlement of Europe. That immediate cause of difference was +therefore extinct. Yet there remained, in truth, between the Foxite and +Grenville branches of Whigs no real bond of union but a concurrence +of opinion on the subject of Roman Catholics and Ireland, and the +recollection of mutual kindnesses and services during a political +connection of ten years. + +The latter feeling was, I believe, strong in Lord Grenville’s honourable +mind, notwithstanding some tenacity of opinion for which his family has +always been remarkable, and from which he is not entirely exempt. It +could not be stronger in his mind than it was in mine, but I am aware +that many Whigs, and among them persons of importance who differed with +him less, felt very soon afterwards much more inclination to separate +from him than myself. + +Lord Grey did not come up to the meeting of Parliament in 1816. The +treaties[213] were discussed in his absence; but Lord Grenville was so +little disposed to court the Government that he arraigned without scruple +or reserve every fault of omission or commission he could find in the +treaty, and proposed an amendment which, while it lamented the power and +territory left to France, dwelt yet more emphatically on the impolicy and +danger of keeping a foreign force in that kingdom, and deprecated the +necessity created by that measure of maintaining vast standing armies +during peace. For that amendment, which he had accommodated as far as +he could to my views, I voted. I signed, in common with eleven peers, a +dissentient to its rejection. I moved no amendment of my own, but having +said _not content_ without directing the House to the original address, I +embodied in a short protest of my own the main objections to the treaty, +namely, that it imposed the Bourbons on France, and sanctioned the +principle of guaranteeing hereditary monarchies against the people, for +whom and from whom they should alone derive their authority. + +Many of the transactions at Paris, as well as the ungenerous treatment of +Napoleon, were objectionable on principle and disgusting to the feelings +of all who had a nature capable of justice or humanity to a fallen foe. +Substantially, if not technically, the merit or guilt of such acts rests +with the Prince Regent and the Duke of Wellington. If the removal of +the works of art,[214] the demolition of sundry monuments, and other +severe retributions of the kind were after the capitulation irregular +and questionable; if the judicial murders of Labedoyère and Marshal Ney +were direct violations of the articles of that capitulation; and if the +detention and transportation of a dethroned and abdicated monarch by a +foreign Power be a breach of the Law of Nations, as well as an unusual +and harsh exercise of power, they will all be more or less stains on the +character of the great General of the Confederacy, as well as on the +Governments who sanctioned and the Ministerial agents who counselled or +perpetrated such acts of violence or bad faith. + +The Duke of Wellington did not, indeed, instigate, possibly he did not +approve of, these public crimes, nor was he the official instrument in +committing them.[215] Nothing perhaps but a weak reluctance to give +advice unpleasant to Royalty restrained him from remonstrating against +some of those acts. He must even then have been aware that they would +tarnish the lustre of his achievements. He had, indeed, the bad taste +on that and many subsequent occasions to speak loudly in disparagement +of Frenchmen,[216] but bigotry or fanaticism in a cause he is much too +sensible to feel, and personal resentment to Ney or Napoleon he could +have none. He is said to have censured in private the appointment of +Sir Hudson Lowe to St. Helena, foreseeing from his knowledge of the +character of that gaoler that his usage of the illustrious prisoner would +be neither humane nor decorous.[217] Such regret, if expressed, was +never conveyed to the quarters where it might have rectified the mistake +and alleviated the sufferings of the prisoner. Wellington preferred the +odium of abetting the oppression of a great man to the hazard of losing +Royal favour or incurring the resentment of official pride, by an act of +humanity and generosity. He must abide by the consequences. History, if +she does not brand him as an accessory in the guilt, will describe him +in this instance as deficient in that magnanimity which is incapable of +it, and which has been so justly extolled in our Black Prince. That great +General, in circumstances not totally dissimilar, respected, soothed, and +interceded for a fallen competitor or dethroned usurper,[218] whom the +chances of war had placed at his disposal. With whom the cruel expedient +of exiling Napoleon originated I do not know. I have reasons to believe +that such a destination for him had been contemplated before he left the +Isle of Elba.[219] When I, in private, upbraided Lord Liverpool with an +act of harshness, so little of a piece with his general character and +policy, he defended himself by the extreme difficulty of knowing what to +do with such a prisoner. + +The Prince Regent subsequently showed himself so full of rancour to the +very memory of a man who had eclipsed the glory and assumed, with some +of the vices, all the functions of Royalty, without having been born or +bred to any such pernicious office, that the suspicion of posterity +will fall chiefly upon him. Yet his first feeling, or at least his first +exclamation, on receiving the famous letter, by no means bespoke the +hatred he afterwards displayed to the writer! He is reported to have +said, after glancing his eye over its contents, “Upon my word, a very +proper letter: much more so, I must say, than any I ever received from +Louis XVIII.” This commendation was extorted neither by the strange +singularity of Napoleon’s fate, by the striking and pathetic selection of +the topics, the apt allusion to Themistocles, or the short and emphatic +style of the epistle, but by the title “Altesse” with which it commenced, +and which for some reason or another, to me unknown, our Regent +considered as more respectful and more appropriate to the station he then +held than “Monseigneur.” But though struck with such profound display +of knowledge in etiquette, as none, he deemed, but _porphyrogeniti_ +and Germans could possess, it did not soften him, or, if it did, the +compassion it excited was very transient indeed. He grudged even the +asylum our laws afforded to the persecuted adherents of the fallen +Emperor. He was cross at the attentions shown by fashionable society in +London to Flahault[220] and other young men of the late Imperial Court, +and he was bitterly incensed against me because the Duke of Sussex signed +a dissentient to the bill for the detention of Napoleon Bonaparte. + +The importance he attached to that incident, and the soreness expressed +about it many years afterwards, are proofs, among many, of the very +trifling, contracted, and personal view he took of all transactions, as +well [as] of the inaccuracy of the reports with which his appetite for +gossip was generally supplied. He imagined, or at least asserted, that +both Lady Holland and myself had used very earnest persuasions to prevail +on his brother Augustus to sign his name, whereas it so happened that +from some little personal motives of vanity, and chiefly at the request +of Lady Holland, I had taken considerable pains to conceal my entering +the protest till it was too late for him or any other peer to add his +name. He, however, availed himself, contrary to my wishes,[221] of the +third reading to annex by reference his adherence to the opinion I had +recorded. + +The necessity of any bill implied the irregularity of the whole +proceeding. It passed, however, with little debate in the Session of +1816. Our politicians had a feverish dread of incurring odium by a +fruitless expression of sympathy for a man, so long the theme of popular +execration in the country. Mr. Brougham most unnecessarily expressed +some qualified approbation of the measure. I felt on that, as on some +other occasions, the full value of our privilege of protesting. One +has the consolation of recording one’s principles, without inviting +observation to the shades of difference subsisting between one’s self +and one’s friends. I was, indeed, told that the step I was taking would +be peculiarly offensive to the English public. To the Court it was so, +no doubt: to the people, I believe, far the contrary. The dispassionate +portion of the community would have been better pleased if a less distant +exile and a milder fate had been reserved for their fallen enemy. Our +people, on this, as on many other occasions, displayed more delicacy +and generosity of sentiment than their representatives either gave them +credit for or had the courage to exemplify in their own conduct. + +The trial and execution of Marshal Ney and the papers relating to it, +though laid before the House of Lords, on the motion of Lord St. John, +attracted little notice and no debate in Parliament. It was apprehended +by those who reprobated the proceeding, that an unsuccessful attempt to +stigmatise it as a crime comparable to that of infamous memory which +brought Jerome of Prague to the stake, might invite a vote of actual +approbation and stamp permanently on the national character a stain +which, as it is, only tarnishes the fame of a few individuals.[222] The +thirst for revenge which manifestly actuated Louis XVIII. might perhaps +be palliated, and at least was reasonably accounted for by a reference +either to the Marshal’s private professions to him and his subsequent +violation of them, or to the King’s habitual and unfeeling cruelty. But +it is remarkable that the very letters of Lord Bathurst and the Duke of +Wellington of July 7 and 15, 1815,[223] which were produced to justify +the construction put upon the 12th article of the Capitulation by the +victors, distinctly admit and show that a doubt of the meaning of that +article had occurred to the Prince Regent himself before he ratified the +Convention. + +It is equally clear from those letters that such doubt was removed from +his mind by the explanation of the Duke of Wellington—that is, by the +interpretation put upon it by one of the signing parties without any +fresh communication with the other. It results from this simple statement +of facts that, by the admission and almost in the judgment of that power +to which an appeal was afterwards made to give the milder construction +to the 12th article, the said article was ambiguous and susceptible of +two interpretations. But another article of the same treaty, namely, +the 15th, contains the following words: “If difficulties arise in the +execution of _any one_ of the articles of the present Convention, the +interpretation of it shall be made in favour of the French Army and of +the City of Paris.” Difficulties did arise in the execution of the 12th +article. The construction which the ratifying party apprehended was put +upon it by one of the weaker party, and the benefit of the doubt under +the 15th article was claimed by that party. Yet “the interpretation was +not made in favour” of, but to the injury and murder of a Marshal of the +Army, and an inhabitant of Paris! + +I was, I own, deeply affected by the merits of this case at the time, not +only from compassion for the sufferers, but from a sincere dread of the +disgrace which would attach to the English General and to the English +name, if so just a claim for our intercession were resisted. I ventured +to write to Lord Kinnaird,[224] then living in intimacy with the Duke of +Wellington, on the subject; and in the persuasion that my letter would +arrive long before the irrevocable moment of his execution, I urged him +to communicate my reasons and feelings to his powerful friend. The letter +is as follows: + + MIDDLETON, _Dec. 5, 1816_. + + DEAR KINNAIRD, + + What is passing at Paris annoys me more than I can well + describe. For La Valette,[225] on the score of private + acquaintance, though slight, I am much concerned; but, from the + regard to the character of our country and to that of the Duke + of Wellington (in whom, after the great things he has done, + even as decided an opponent of the war as myself must feel some + national interest), I have conceived more horror at the trials + and executions going on in the teeth of our Capitulation than + mere humanity could create. + + How can such a man as Wellington assert that the impunity for + political conduct extends only to impunity from the Allies + for offences committed against them? When ships strike, when + garrisons surrender, do the captains or commanders stipulate + that the foreign conqueror shall not molest them for their + political exertions? With or without such stipulations, what + shadow of right has a foreign enemy to punish individuals for + opinions held or conduct pursued in their own country? It is + clear the impunity promised was impunity for crimes, real or + supposed, against a French Government. If the French Government + was a party to that promise, by that promise it must abide; + if not, the other Allies are bound in honour not to deliver + over a town taken in virtue of it without exacting the same + terms from those to whom they deliver it. Such perhaps is the + formal, technical way of putting the argument. Practically + and substantially the case, if not more striking, is yet more + conclusive to men of justice and honour. The Allies have + virtually (I might say formally too) been masters of Paris, + while the persons who delivered it to them, on the faith of + impunity for political offences,[226] have for political + offences been imprisoned, tried, condemned, and executed! + + Wellington has himself precluded all doubt on the question. + He maintains in his letter to Lord Castlereagh that there is + no article in the Capitulation securing to the town of Paris + the pictures and statues, and thereupon he argues; and he acts + upon his argument that the Allies may seize the pictures, + etc., etc., and seize them without any fresh or formal cession + from Louis XVIII. Up to that time, then, the Allies, according + to him, were in military possession of Paris; and up to that + time therefore, even upon his own view of the subject, the + inhabitants were entitled to claim impunity for all political + opinions and conduct. Those who had the right and the power of + taking forcibly from Paris property not specified or disposed + of in the Capitulation, notwithstanding the nominal Government + of Louis XVIII., must surely have a right to enforce on any + such nominal and dependent Government the observance of + promises on the faith of which the inhabitants had surrendered + the town. Technical arguments may possibly be urged on both + sides; and though they appear to me all in favour of Ney’s + claim, it is _not_ on them I lay the stress, but on the obvious + and practical aspect of the transaction as it must strike + impartial men and posterity. The plain relation of the events + in history will be this. A promise of security was held out to + the inhabitants of Paris: they surrendered the town; and while + Wellington and the Allies were still really in possession of + it, Labedoyère was executed, and Ney was tried for political + opinion and conduct. Even of subsequent executions, and I fear + there will be many, it will be said, “The Allies delivered + over their authority in Paris to a French Government, without + exacting an observance of the stipulations on which they had + originally acquired it.” + + Had we taken Martinique in ’93 or ’94 on a promise of not + molesting individuals for political opinions or conduct, should + we have been at liberty to cede it, had Louis XVIII. been then + restored, without insisting on the impunity of all political + offences, or, at the very least, on the right of leaving the + country for such as might have so offended? In Egypt the French + stipulated that no natives should be molested for their conduct + or opinions during the war. We took military possession of + the country on those terms, and then delivered it over to the + political authority of the Ottoman Porte. When, however, the + Captain Pacha, acting under that authority, began murdering the + Beys and proceeding against the adherents of the French, we + not only remonstrated and threatened, but actually protected + the persecuted men within our lines. Yet by reference to the + history of those times, you will find that many blamed Lord + Hutchinson,[227] for not having recourse to yet more violent + methods to enforce on the “legitimate political authority” + the observance of engagements entered into by our military + power on taking military possession of the country. Lord + Nelson’s conduct at Naples was indeed different: but what is + the impression left of those transactions? Will Wellington + condescend to accept the only palliation ever offered for + Nelson, though a man in all other respects so justly beloved, + _viz._, blind, bigoted zeal and a very narrow capacity on + every subject not connected with his own profession. What + would Wellington himself have said, if the British troops had + surrendered any town in Spain to the French with a similar + stipulation, and if on the flimsy and hypocritical subterfuge + of a distinction between Joseph’s Spanish Government and the + French military authorities, all the Spaniards who had assisted + us during the siege had been prosecuted for treason against + Joseph? Yet where is the distinction? + + The worst is, that as nothing but Wellington’s name could + carry down so foul a transaction, so the whole odium of the + breach of faith will fall on him and him only. He signed, he + interpreted the Capitulation; _and when a construction of a + doubtful passage might have saved one of the first officers + of the age, he gave it the meaning least favourable to the + conquered party, and left a man with whom he had once coped in + the field of honourable war to be taken off by the hands of the + executioner._ + + The want of principle and consistency and the disgusting + changes of the Marshals have, I know, steeled men’s minds to + their sufferings. This is natural enough. But when the violence + of the times is gone by, and, above all, when the tomb has + closed on their offences, the transaction will be judged with + reference to the character of Wellington and to the nature of + his promise, not to the conduct or misconduct of the sufferers. + + Si ego digna in quam faceres, tu tamen indignus qui + feceris, Pamphile. + + Nor is this all. If we judge by former instances, even the + crime itself will be regarded with more indulgence by posterity + than any irregular mode of punishing it. Allowance for + individuals is made in all great changes. It is difficult in + sudden emergencies and great convulsions of State, especially + for professional men whose lives have been passed in camps, to + weigh maturely all the considerations by which their conduct + should, in the strict line of duty, be regulated. Unforeseen + cases occur, and men even of good principles and understanding + are hurried into acts of inconsistency and political + immorality. History is full of such instances, and in our own + the name of one, with whom Wellington himself cannot dislike + being associated, brings them to our recollection. Marlborough + abandoned, in his King, a benefactor and protector, betrayed + the person who placed great confidence in him, and did so when + the opinions of his friends and party were, to say the least, + divided, and not unanimous in favour of the step he took. + + These men deserted a standard to which they were recently, + reluctantly, and barely reconciled; under which they were + regarded with suspicion by their Government, with hatred and + reproach by their fellow soldiers, and they went over to their + ancient companion in arms and victory—to one from whom they had + derived rank, property, character, and importance. They did + so, too, when all the military feeling of their country was + decidedly in unison with the cause they espoused. A stoic, a + philosopher, a man whose public principles are stronger than + his private affections, gratitude, or vanity, might perhaps + have acted otherwise, and from strict regard to his honour, + once given, have sacrificed his fortunes, his favour, and + popularity with those to whom he was obliged, to support a + cause in which he found himself engaged against his interests + and inclinations. I own, however (you will perhaps reckon me + lax for thinking so), that any military man who was to lay his + hand on his heart and say that he would have done so, would + give me a much higher opinion of his present prudence than of + his self-knowledge and candour. + + In this latter view of the subject, I know I am somewhat + singular. Few at present make such allowances for the political + tergiversations of the Marshals, and many, more indulgent than + I am in their judgment of political apostasy in England, are + quite outrageous with Frenchmen for not acting with inflexible + principle in the most trying and difficult circumstances. + Some, however, among the most indignant at their crimes, yet + doubt the justice, policy, and safety of punishing them; and + more, especially among the moderate of all parties, think the + claim of the Capitulation conclusive, or if not quite so, of + a nature questionable enough to induce Wellington, for the + preservation of his own and the national character, to give + it the construction most favourable to the weaker party. My + opinion is of no importance, but it is so strong that I could + not resist expressing it to you, who have access to those + whose character is most interested in forming a sound one upon + this very important subject. I have not spoken of La Valette. + All my arguments apply in his favour as strongly as in Ney’s, + and surely he is not, as the other may be, any object of a + bystander’s indignation. He seems an honourable man throughout. + + Yours ever truly, + + VASSALL HOLLAND. + +The above letter arrived too late. Marshal Ney had perished the day +before. Lord Kinnaird somewhat injudiciously showed the Duke of +Wellington the letter. The truths contained in it were probably by +that time, and have been since, very unpleasant to him. He affected +to take umbrage at a passage,[228] which he erroneously supposed was +intended to convey an imputation upon him as jealous or fearful of the +military superiority of Marshal Ney. When I met him two years afterwards +at Paris, he would not speak to me. This sort of distance continued, +till our common friend, General Alava,[229] persuaded us to renew the +slight intercourse which had formerly subsisted between us. We exchanged +visits; he dined with me, and subsequent differences in politics have not +interrupted the interchange of civility between us. + +I remember him, though he is older than myself, at Eton. He was in no +way distinguished there. Soon afterwards, both in his regiment and in +Ireland, he was, perhaps from contrast with his elder brother, reckoned +below mediocrity. In Dublin Castle his companions treated him as a +good-humoured, insignificant youth; and in India he was thought to +require all Lord Wellesley’s affection and interest to screen him even +from disgrace.[230] It is said that the compliance or good nature of +Sir John Harris, on one occasion, procured him the peerage, which he +certainly owed exclusively to Lord Wellesley’s recommendation. That +warning, however, if it was as serious as it is represented, roused the +faculties of Arthur Wellesley. From that period he devoted himself to +business and his profession. He rose rapidly through the gradations of +a good officer and useful man of business to much consideration both in +the State and the Army. He showed great discretion, temper, and judgment +in defence of his brother against an impeachment in 1806, and in the +following year he was designated by Lord Grenville to command a large +expedition to Mexico. He soon afterwards began his career in Portugal. + +My opinion of him was formed very early. He is not only a very capable +and useful, but he is a great, fortunate, and extraordinary man, both +in politics and in war. No one ever possessed greater dexterity in +adapting his means to his ends. His want of any remarkable exterior +accomplishments only renders this faculty more wonderful. It is possible +that his wisdom may not be of the most enlarged and comprehensive, +and certainly not of the most refined and delicate kind; but it is +so unerring on all great occasions that it partakes at least of the +character of genius. Then his apprehension is quick, his sagacity +marvellous, his application indefatigable, and his decision and courage +unfailing. Even his defects turn to account. A certain insensibility, +real or assumed, gives his judgment uninterrupted scope for its exertion; +and habitual carelessness and inaccuracy in language, disarming criticism +in public, has often procured him advantages in his private intercourse +with politicians, which are seldom supposed to be attainable but by +qualities of a more exceptionable character. It is, indeed, rare for a +man of sense, education, and spirit to be more destitute of taste, wit, +grace, or imagination. But he affects none of them, and is often humble +or adroit enough to profit by the allowance made for their absence. He +loves to display a knowledge of details, even when he possesses it very +imperfectly; but, in general, his conversation and manners have the +ineffable charm of unassuming simplicity. Though he is very close and his +designs quite impenetrable, he speaks of past transactions with great +readiness and ease, and has all the air of being frank and communicative. +He has not quick or delicate feelings, and generosity is not the chief +ingredient in his composition. + +On the other hand, he has few bad passions, and can subdue them +effectually when his interests, or even his convenience, require it. +Good-humoured, however, as he seems in social life, he is said to be +often indifferent and even harsh to inferiors,[231] which, if true, is +a trait not rendered less unamiable by the proof which his demeanour +with equals affords, that he can control his dislikes, conceal his +chagrin, stifle his resentments, and command his temper when he chooses. +His vanity, I have sometimes thought, exceeds his ambition; for he has +occasionally seemed to prefer the appearance to the reality of doing +whatever he likes. Opinions and principles may possibly sit rather +loosely upon a soldier. Like his own warhorse, he may care little what +troops he leads or what cause he serves, so that _He_, richly caparisoned +in the front, be the chief pageant of the show and reap the benefit of +the victory and the grace of the triumph. + +It must be also admitted that all public men who have an appetite for +power occasionally cede some portion of consistency and opinion, and +some predilections and connections, to expediency and success; but where +others have made one sacrifice of the sort, the Duke of Wellington seemed +at one time to lead whole hecatombs to the shrine. The cheerfulness +with which he went through that unpleasant ceremony created a malicious +inference that he did not value the State more, but political principles +and friendships somewhat less, than his predecessors and contemporaries. +His character was so interpreted during one period of his life, and +especially in 1828 and 1829, by many of his contemporaries. But the +subsequent publication of his correspondence, as well as his temperate +and measured conduct both in and out of office, have since proved that he +can sacrifice all selfish views and even his vanity and predilections to +public principles, and that although generosity is not supreme she is yet +not excluded from the mind where justice and prudence predominate. + +He was not, at the time of which I am now treating, connected with the +purest or most stoical of public men. Lord Castlereagh perhaps never +entirely lost sight of certain good objects he had been taught to +value in his Whig or reforming days,[232] but he was at the best but a +temporising politician, and the unusual honours he had recently received +at Courts and in Congresses had almost turned his head. It required, to +use a metaphor of Mr. Frere, the strong currycomb of the House of Commons +to scrape off the lacquer with which he had been varnished at Vienna; +and there is reason to think that the rough discipline he experienced, +on his return, irritated and wounded him so much that he never recovered +his natural serenity of temper and that coolness of judgment which had +hitherto constituted the chief merit of his character. On his first +arrival from abroad the year before, incense such as he was accustomed +to in foreign Courts seemed reserved for him here. He was greeted by a +long and unusual cheer as he entered the House of Commons. But short +lived were such triumphs. The dread of the Property Tax[233] produced +innumerable petitions, and the indefatigable genius of Mr. Brougham, +who, through the influence of Lord Grey and Lord Thanet, had returned +to Parliament, allowed scarce one to be presented without an exposure +of the policy and a derision of the capacity of the Minister. House and +country were thus enflamed against that great act of confiscation, as it +was hyperbolically called in the publications of the day. The Bill was +rejected. The Minister, lowered as he was by his inferiority as an orator +and the defeat of his great financial measure, yet determined to maintain +his post. + +Thus a Cabinet was continued, divided in sentiment on the great domestic +question of Catholic Emancipation and defeated by a House of Commons on +their favourite scheme of finance. Such a surrender of the functions of +a Ministry to a Court, combined with such an acknowledgment of their +want of authority in Parliament, effected practically a more violent +change in the nature of our Government than many measures which lawyers +and historians stigmatise as innovations. Whether the result will be +beneficial or injurious to the Commonwealth, time alone can show. It +would require no great ingenuity to trace many phenomena which have since +perplexed, and some which do still perplex, our political system, to that +original. But mine is a narrative and not a dissertation. + +The fruits of that victory over Ministers, which had been gained in +a great measure by the exertions of Mr. Brougham, were thrown away +by the imprudence of that same powerful but unmanageable member of +Opposition. On some trivial occasion he launched out into an unseasonable +invective against the habits, expenses, and personal qualities of the +Prince Regent. This diatribe, deserved or undeserved, would, at all +times, have been too coarse for the taste of the assembly in which +it was delivered; and at that particular period it had the effect of +estranging many members, who had been recently softened towards the +Whigs by voting with them against the Property Tax. Mr. Ponsonby was +grieved, Mr. Tierney appalled, at the fresh instance of indiscretion. +It was the more unaccountable because Brougham had during that Session +evinced more disposition to concert with the party than he had affected +for some years. He had even resumed his habits with me, after an absence +from my house of six years, upon an understanding that he should be +received as if we had parted in the morning.[234] His jealousy of Mr. +Horner had somewhat abated. I should be loth to suspect that he had even +then detected the seeds of a disease which were to bring that excellent +man shortly to the grave, and that foreseeing the untimely removal of +his rival, he was willing to conciliate those whom he had avoided from +jealousy of an early friend. + +Whatever were his secret motives or public extravagances, he, and still +more Sir Samuel Romilly, rose greatly in estimation as Parliamentary +speakers in the course of 1816. Lord Castlereagh, who had felt the want +of support, was not averse to secure it even in the person of one whom he +hated—Mr. Canning. That gentleman had submitted to be employed by him at +Lisbon in 1814, tempted, it was said, by large emoluments, and impelled +by the vexations which a discontented and precarious set of adherents +out of office created him at home.[235] He accepted, on his return, the +Board of Control. The selection of that place seemed to indicate that +neither he nor his employers thought constant or familiar intercourse any +very binding cement to their new connection. The Prince Regent also, in +all probability, preferred at that time an arrangement which required no +personal interviews between him and the new member of the Cabinet. Mr. +Canning had, indeed, advised the Princess of Wales to absent herself, +and that absence was agreeable enough to the Prince Regent; but the +circumstances which gave any advice from him to the Princess great weight +could not be equally so. I have myself heard the Prince Regent more than +insinuate causes for such ascendancy, which would not have led him to +anticipate much comfort or ease in any frequent intercourse with her +adviser. + +No man was so well qualified as Mr. Canning to cope in debate with the +established as well as rising orators in Opposition. It was prudent, +therefore, in Lord Liverpool to suggest, and equally so in Lord +Castlereagh to acquiesce in, a junction which placed so brilliant a +speaker in the front of their battle; nor was it less so in Mr. Canning +to accept of a post on their side, without stickling for what is calling +the “lead” in the House of Commons. His talents were sure ere long to +overshadow those of his nominal chief but real rival. There was no party +of followers who could feel their honour wounded at his taking a station +comparatively subordinate, and he had, moreover, already descended from +his vantage-ground by the more hazardous acceptance of his Lisbon mission +from and under Lord Castlereagh. It is not, however, to be denied that +his condescension on those two occasions lowered him for a time in public +estimation. It required several fortunate incidents, as well as the +resources of application and genius which he had at command, to regain +that station to which his abilities and character fairly entitled him. + +About the time that he resumed a seat in Council and Parliament, the +person whose example and precepts had in earlier days enflamed his +ambition and improved his talents, Mr. Sheridan, was closing a career +more fit, + + To point a moral and adorn a tale, + +than to exercise the pen of those who, like myself, have shared some +portion of his friendship, enjoyed his society, and retain regard for +his memory. Nothing but a sense of justice to others could induce me to +inflict any on him. Mr. Canning had the gratification of offering some +pecuniary assistance, and what was, in truth, more real service, as well +as more agreeable to him, of paying some attention to his early friend in +his last sickness and adversity. The want of such attentions from some +great names, and from the Prince Regent in particular, no doubt cut him +to the quick. It was perhaps a theme on which his biographer was fairly +entitled to moralise. But when Mr. Moore censures the opulent and titled +companions of Mr. Sheridan’s happier days for not relieving him from his +pecuniary embarrassments, I, whom he almost as inaccurately excepts from +his censure, am bound to say that it is unjust. To my knowledge, some +aid of that nature was offered, and more was possibly accepted than his +biographer relates or than his benefactors ever wished to have recorded. + +That the real amount of his debts was small is, I believe, correctly +true; but that it was so is not less strange than true. The inference +that therefore an advance of a sum equal to the debts would have relieved +him from his distresses may seem plausible; but a little reflection on +the real state of the case and on the character of Mr. Sheridan will show +it to be erroneous. His debts, though reported to be enormous, might +be of inconsiderable amount,[236] but they were of a most complicated +nature, and known only to himself. Without his assistance it would have +been impossible, with it not easy, to ascertain their extent. He would +never have assisted any inquiry, or complied with any limitation or +arrangement to secure the application of the money so raised exclusively +to his creditors. Had he even consented to co-operate (which, if my +memory does not mislead me, he above once refused to do), his inveterate +habits of subterfuges and mis-statement were such that little truth +could have been ascertained, and none without affronting and mortifying +him. + +In such circumstances, to impute want of generosity or dereliction of +friendship to those who hesitated to afford him pecuniary aid, and +much more to such as merely omitted to come forward for the purpose +of incurring expense in a thankless and impracticable undertaking, is +manifest and gross injustice. The same man who would cheerfully sacrifice +a thousand pounds to save a friend from permanent distress might very +consistently withhold a hundred which would merely postpone his arrest +for a week. But Sheridan’s mind was so perversely constituted that +he would have received without scruple the latter boon from a common +acquaintance, but would never have pardoned a brother for conferring +the former, if he had exacted any co-operation or any unpleasant +acknowledgments as the condition of it. + +It is exceedingly painful to chronicle the infirmities of Sheridan’s +character and the faults of Mr. Moore’s book. But that lively, popular, +and warm-hearted writer, in his zeal to exalt his countryman, takes facts +for granted, and then draws hasty conclusions, not only unfair to our +aristocracy (in whose defence I am nowise interested), but injurious to +that association of public men to whom Mr. Sheridan, as well as myself, +professed himself attached, and of whom I have, in a manner, constituted +myself the historian. The injustice of those inferences can only be +exposed by recording the failings that really disqualified Mr. Sheridan +for a station to which his intellectual powers, as well as many other +endowments, would have entitled him among his contemporaries. + +It was neither Irish birth nor low extraction (as Mr. Moore not very +covertly insinuates) that excluded Mr. Burke or Mr. Sheridan from a +pre-eminence attained by Lord North, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Pitt, in their +respective parties. Mr. Burke, albeit abounding in knowledge, zeal, and +genius, and of far less questionable honour and integrity, had yet so +little judgment in debate and so little command of his temper in council +or in society, that it was at all times a problem whether he did more +harm or good to the side which he espoused. Had he been placed at the +head of a party, he would have been left without followers in the course +of a year. Such is, at least, a fair inference from his mismanagement +of the impeachment of Hastings and his conduct during the absence of +Mr. Fox, in the King’s illness, in 1788. On the latter occasion, in +less than six weeks he had ceased to be on speaking terms with any man +of consequence in the party. His intemperate language, more than any +other circumstance, enabled Mr. Pitt to rivet his popularity by an +unconstitutional restriction on the prerogatives and a personal stigma on +the Heir-Apparent of the Crown. + +Mr. Sheridan, although far more disposed to covet and better qualified +to acquire popularity, was yet less likely to attain the permanent +confidence of a body of independent English gentlemen. I do not speak +merely of his dissipation and intemperate habits, though towards the +close of his life amounting almost to disqualifications; but there were +others of a graver nature, such as not even his fascinating manners and +exquisite wit (for the attainment of special and immediate purposes +almost irresistible) could, in any protracted commerce or relationship +with him, counterbalance. Those who enjoyed his society most and knew +him best, even while they retained affection for him, were compelled +to acknowledge that jealousy of disposition, delight in artifice and +contrivance, and a proneness to gratify his own vanity with disregard to +the feelings and reputation of other men, and, above all, an occasional +indifference to truth, rendered any habitual reliance on his conduct +preposterous in the extreme. The irregularities and mortifications of his +early life and education may, in a great degree, palliate such defects in +his moral character; but there is no denying them, and the injudicious +endeavour to ascribe all their consequences to the injustice of others +has compelled me to record them. His father,[237] a famous actor, was a +harsh, unjust, and needy man, generally negligent and at times vexatious +to his children. He seems to have been jealous of his son’s talents. +None of them, if we except the power of bitter sarcasm, were inherited +from him. That unamiable faculty he must, indeed, have possessed, if it +be true that, on its being remarked how wonderful was the delineation of +opposite characters in the _School for Scandal_, he replied: “Richard +had only to dip his pen in his own heart, and he had both Joseph and +Charles.” His mother,[238] the authoress of _Sidney Bidulph_, was a +gentle, virtuous, clever, and unhappy woman. She died abroad of a +consumption; and her sufferings were aggravated by hard usage from her +husband and anxiety about her absent and neglected children. + +The salary for Richard Brinsley’s education at Harrow, where he had been +left, was irregularly paid. He was slighted by the masters and tormented +by the boys, as a poor player’s son. I have heard him relate, with tears +in his eyes,[239] that he never met with kindness at school but from +Dr. Parr.[240] He was soon afterwards removed to Bath. His father had +a project of establishing a school of rhetoric there, and destined his +son to be one of his ushers. The scheme failed, and the intended usher +commenced a man of wit and gallantry. + +The adventures of that part of his life are, I believe, correctly +recounted by Moore. He used to relate a scene with his father, about this +period, somewhat less romantic than ludicrous. The retired actor was in +the habit of haranguing his two sons after supper on the consequences +of drunkenness and the motives which had induced him to renounce that +vice and avoid all excess in wine. To enforce his precepts he denied +them all access to his bottle, but he filled and emptied his own glass +so frequently in the earnestness of discourse, that ere the lecture on +sobriety was finished the two disciples were compelled to convey the +professor of that virtue drunk to bed. + +His long confinement from illness in Soho Square was the only period +of his life in which he devoted himself to reading or study. He had no +great appetite for general knowledge. Endowed as he was with the powers +of memory and observation, he had less learning than the common run of +well-educated men in society. He was conscious of his deficiency; yet he +sought to make it appear greater than it really was, and concealed the +information he had, with the hopes of giving to his wit and eloquence +(often very elaborate) the air of genius and inspiration. He managed this +so well that his pleasantry and replies appeared to common acquaintance +sudden sallies excited by the occasion, and even to those who suspected +them to be studied, tinctured with a sort of archness and complacency at +the opportunity of introducing them, which lent them fresh relish, and +added to their effect in society. + +He was almost as wonderful in his physical constitution as in his +intellectual powers. He seemed built for longevity; and no man was better +made to bear fatigue, labour, or debauch. Even in hearing and seeing +he had the advantage of other people. Vain as he was, he, in words and +manner and sometimes in actions, acknowledged the superiority of Mr. +Fox,[241] and even liked his society as much as he could that of any +man who had advantages over him. He was, in short, less jealous of him +than he would have been of another in the same situation. The unaffected +admiration which he knew Mr. Fox entertained and professed for his wit, +eloquence, and writings, in some measure disarmed his malignity. + +The truth is, that although vindictive where his vanity had been wounded, +he was not an ill-natured man. He could pardon an injury more readily +than a slight, and either, I fear I must add, more easily than a great +obligation. To inferiors he was not merely civil and serviceable, but he +was kind and considerate. Where his own self-love was no wise concerned, +he was disposed to soothe that of others, and that, too, in cases where +he could have no view of courting popularity. Even on his death-bed, the +old woman put into the house by his creditors was so won by his anxiety +lest she should lose her dinner by waiting on him, that she contracted +an attachment for him as strong as if she had attended him from his +childhood. + +I saw him at that period. Enough transpired, even in those moments of +distress, to show that any attempt to relieve him from his embarrassments +would have been fruitless, all concert with him for such a purpose +impracticable, and any reliance on his assertions hazardous in the +extreme. Mrs. Sheridan assured me that in his last illness he professed +much contrition for his sins, and Dr. Howley, Bishop of London,[242] +unquestionably attended and read prayers to him, while he folded his +hands, being unable to speak. Mrs. Sheridan, indeed, related other +circumstances in proof of the sincerity of his repentance and earnestness +for forgiveness; but the Archbishop’s recollection by no means confirmed +them, and her anxious wishes or general knowledge of Mr. Sheridan’s +opinion might lead her somewhat hastily to believe them. It is true, +however, that he always affected a sense of religion, and if some traits +of superstition are proofs of such feeling, he was not exempt from them. +The pious love to infer the truth of religion from the compunction of +persons of irregular habits on their death-beds. Where the case occurs, +religion has a right to such argument as it supplies. It would be unjust +to withhold any credible testimony to the fact, when it occurs. I believe +Mr. Sheridan died with strong religious apprehensions on his mind; but +what does that prove? That a sense of religion may exist, where the moral +virtues it inculcates are habitually neglected. + +Of the brilliancy of wit and fascination of manner, which made one forget +in his society so many and such grievous faults, I have spoken more than +once in the preceding chapters and elsewhere. My pen has been reluctantly +employed here in tracing the darker shades of his portrait, from an +apprehension that the false glitter thrown over them might injure the +truth of the more general picture of public men, which I have endeavoured +faithfully to delineate. + +But let me not close so painful a judgment on a man whose genius has +often delighted me, without reminding my readers that no Englishman since +the time of Edmund Waller has so indisputably attained excellence in the +three branches of conversation, composition, and oratory, as the person +whose defects I have been thus compelled to recall. His best speeches +recalled in fame and effect those of Mr. Fox, Mr. Pitt, Lord North, or +Mr. Canning. If they had not the characteristic excellencies of Mr. +Burke, Mr. Windham, or Mr. Grattan, they far surpassed in effect, though +not in genius, the happiest efforts of those three eccentric men. Many +years after the Begum speech in the House of Commons, Mr. Fox pronounced +it to be the best ever delivered within the walls of Parliament, and +Mr. Pitt is reported to have been of the same opinion.[243] Indeed, he +implied as much, by unexpectedly assenting to the motion with which it +concluded. Other speakers of his age have shone in written composition; +but what modern orator but Sheridan ever produced a masterpiece in any +literature? Burke’s best work holds not the same relation to common +political pamphlets or ordinary metaphysical disputations, as the _School +for Scandal_ bears to the comedies on our stage. If the conversation of +Fox, Windham, or Grattan abounded more with philosophy and knowledge, and +if it was occasionally as varied and delightful as Mr. Sheridan’s, yet it +was not so well adapted to the taste of all classes, nor so remarkable +for playful satire and vivacity, for quick discernment and well-bred +exposure of individual character. FitzPatrick, Hare, Lord John Townshend, +and others more nearly his rivals in that respect, never aspired to +the fame of leading orators or classical authors. It was reserved for +Sheridan to be brilliant alike in the club, the theatre, and the senate. +If we must acknowledge in some features of Pope’s inimitable portrait +of Wharton a resemblance to the prominent blemishes of Sheridan, we may +yet with confidence aver that the poet, in recording the genius and +versatility of the “wonder of the age,” falls far short of the splendour +and variety which dazzled and delighted the theatre, the Parliament, and +the public in our own contemporary—Mr. Sheridan. + +In this same year of 1816 died another friend, whom I had found in the +ranks of Opposition, if not in the party of the Whigs, thirty years +before—Charles, third Earl Stanhope. I have spoken of him at length in +the first Book of these notes.[244] The House of Lords, in spite of his +eccentricities, and I, perhaps in consequence of them, regretted his +loss, and missed the originality with which he seldom failed to enliven +our debates. It fell to my lot as his legatee and executor to compose the +inscription on his monument in Chevening, and I have the satisfaction +of thinking that I have there recorded the peculiarity for which he +would most like to be distinguished, without wounding the feelings of +his family who had some reason to be hurt both at his conduct and his +will.[245] The present Lord told me very handsomely that he always read +it with pleasure, for there was not a word in it that was not true. + +The forwardness in person, character, and understanding of the Princess +Charlotte of Wales, and the dread lest her mother might contrive for her +or she devise for herself an alliance or something worse, induced the +Court to look out for a marriage for her, soon after the proposal of the +Prince of Orange had been rejected. The alleged motives of that rejection +led to the reasonable preference of a Prince unfettered with any duties +which would call him away from England. The Duke and Duchess of York and +Lord Anglesey suggested, as I believe, the Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg; +and some pardonable contrivances, powerfully aided by the very handsome +person of the Prince himself, secured the full acquiescence of the young +lady. Much of the curiosity which the story of his courtship might have +excited is destroyed by the death of his Royal consort next year, an +event which produced a sensation more flattering to the memory of the +young Princess than to her surviving relations, and more illustrative of +the strength of the passion of hope than of loyalty. + +[Illustration: _Charles, 3rd Earl Stanhope_ + +_J. Opie, R.A. Pinx._ + +_Emery Walker Ph. Sc._] + +Among the marriages of the Royal Family which followed was one between +the Duke of Kent and the widowed sister of Prince Leopold. That +alliance may in its results revive the importance of Prince Leopold, to +all appearance suddenly extinguished in this country in 1817. On his +marriage in 1816, an enormous annuity of £50,000 per annum was granted +him. He was also given, by an Act of Parliament, all the rights, except +that of succession to the throne, which attach to a descendant of the +Princess Sophia. He, with over-caution, declined a peerage: George IV. +was afterwards little disposed to renew the offer. Personal beauty and +circumspection were at that time Leopold’s most vaunted qualifications. +The vulgar thought him, in his capacity of needy German Prince, and +without much further proof, sordid and rapacious. The visible improvement +of his Royal bride, in the course of the few months she was destined to +live, gained him the credit of acquiring, by discretion and sagacity, +great ascendancy over her mind. Whether his instructions or further +experience would ever have enabled her to fulfil the somewhat extravagant +expectations entertained by the people may be left to a chapter in +that science termed _media scientia_, which the schoolmen describe as +inscrutable to the Deity himself. + +The great virtues of Princes and Princesses who die young have frequently +been the object of pleasantry, and it cannot be denied that the sudden +extinction of an existence full of hope, in the person of a young and +pretty bride, was well calculated to mislead the best feelings of the +country into such an illusion. Yet, in the judgment of sobriety, little +had appeared in this young lady to justify the inordinate grief at +her death. She was pretty and she was gay; nor had she betrayed any +propensities to remind men of her mother. But, on the other hand, she +had shown even in the nursery, and still more in the months preceding +her marriage, that she inherited, together with the Prince Regent’s +quickness of apprehension and feeling, some of his greatest defects, +_viz._, a love of exaggeration, if not a disregard of truth, in +professions and complaints, a passion for tale-bearers and favourites, +and all those petty failings and practices which lead to what the French +call _tracasseries_ and which rendered the private Court of her father, +whether Heir-Apparent, Prince Regent, or King, the abode of uneasy +heartburnings and jealousies and the scene of squabbles and scrapes, +embarrassing, indeed, to the progress of State affairs, but almost below +the notice of politicians, and quite unworthy of the province of history. + +I have thus adverted prematurely to the untimely death of the Princess +Charlotte, and to what little I knew from report of her character, when +the course of my narrative had only brought me to her marriage. To +prevent repetition, I will here mention that on my return to England +in November, 1817, three days after her death, everybody I met between +London and Dover, including post-boys and turnpike men, bore signs of +mourning on their persons. Yet so little was this national affection +extended to other parts of the family, that calumnies, representing the +Regent and Queen Charlotte as rejoiced at the catastrophe, and even +guilty of accelerating it, were very generally credited by the vulgar, +and not repelled even in better educated circles with that scorn and +contempt which justice and truth required. + +The extraordinary sensation produced by her death was, indeed, a stronger +indication of the unpopularity of the Prince Regent and his brothers than +of the childish affection for Royalty, which the people of England so +frequently display. The events which had intervened between her marriage +and her death, and the tone assumed by the Prince Regent’s Government +thereupon, had soured the lower classes of the community, and sensibly +lessened the small stock of popularity which the Prince Regent had ever +possessed. Although the Alien Bill had been most unnecessarily renewed +in 1816, that Session of Parliament closed without any appearance of +disaffection in the country or any symptom of ill-humour in Parliament. +A bad harvest ensued; the people were distressed. Lord Sidmouth, who +held the Seals of the Home Department, listened with inauspicious +complacency to every tale which officious magistrates and designing spies +brought of conspiracies and impending tumults. The faction of Levellers, +Jacobins, or Radicals, which is never formidable, yet never wholly +extinct in England or Scotland, resumed their practice of disseminating +seditious and blasphemous handbills. They availed themselves of the +elaborate blunders of Major Cartwright,[246] the able mischief of +William Cobbett,[247] and the brawling eloquence (_loquentia potius quam +eloquentia_) of Hunt,[248] to promote the cry for universal suffrage +and annual Parliaments, among a class whose sufferings give to the +prospect of change, whatever name it may assume, the pleasing colours of +improvement. + +The Prince Regent, apt enough to suspect danger, was yet more pleased +at encountering it, whether real or imaginary, with arbitrary authority +or coercion. Lord Sidmouth, either from sheer credulity or from +subserviency, was busy in collecting foolish stories of plots,[249] and +earnest in recommending measures of precaution and severity. + +On January 28 Parliament met for the dispatch of business. I went down +about four o’clock with an intention of reading the King’s Speech (a copy +of which is usually lying on the table or the woolsacks, in the interval +between its delivery and the resumption of the House) before business +began. There were no Lords: there was some difficulty in procuring a +copy of the Speech from the Chancellor. He was said to be at dinner, but +he was closeted in his own room with Lord Sidmouth. The clerks seemed +disconcerted, and everything, if not out of place and in dismay, at a +stand and in suspense. + +At length the mystery was cleared up. The Duke of Sussex, who arrived +before five, told me the Prince Regent had not only been hissed but +pelted in his way to and from the House, and he whispered to me +significantly, “He himself _pretends_ he was shot at.” Accordingly, on +the resumption of the House, before the Select Vestry Bill was moved or +the Chancellor had read the Speech from the woolsack, up rose my Lord +Sidmouth, and with more than his usual solemnity (sufficient though it +be to that or almost any other occasion) stated that the Prince, on his +return through the Park, had been grossly insulted and assailed. + +The Duke of Montrose (Master of the Horse) then related, in a manner +somewhat indistinct and confused, that a stroke had been _propelled_ +against the carriage in which he was accompanying the Prince Regent +_by a force stronger than a man’s arm_. Two holes, he added, were made +in the glass, and he described their appearance. Lord James Murray, +who was in Waiting, was then called to the bar. His evidence led to +the inference that a shot had been aimed from one of the trees in the +Park, and he conjectured that an air pistol, for he probably perceived +that the concealment of an air gun was somewhat difficult, had been the +instrument. Lord Grey cross-examined him, which Lord Grenville whispered +to me was injudicious. He, Lord Grenville, soon afterwards spoke, as did +Lords Eldon and Sidmouth, with becoming horror of such an outrage; but +he did not affect, as the others did, great agitation and alarm at the +event, which, in spite of his propriety and decorum, he must have deemed +questionable. Lord Sidmouth, to vent his feelings of indignation and +alarm with an equal attention to pathos and precedent, had the journals +of 1795, when a similar event had occurred, spread out before him; and +bade the clerk, when one question was disposed of, _look out what was to +be done next_. He was disconcerted at finding that the absence of the +Masters-in-Chancery would compel us to convey our horror to the Commons +by an inferior servant of the House. + +A conference took place. The Houses, as indeed it would appear the +conspirators had been also, were strictly regulated by precedent of +1795: the expression of our indignation and the assurances of our loyalty +were couched verbatim in the words of the resolution and address of that +year, and though the House of Commons did not, as formerly, adjourn the +debate on the address, we did. The Prince said, and perhaps thought, it +was _a shot_; so said, and so thought, his father in 1795. But when Lord +Onslow stooped in the carriage to look for the stone or bullet which had +broken the window, George III. reminded him, saying: “Sit up, my Lord; +they will say we are afraid.” In this rehearsal of a stale and insipid +comedy the only little incident that marked dignity or presence of mind +was omitted. On neither occasion was a shot fired. Lord Eldon assured +me that he had in his possession the stone which had broken the window +in 1795, and which was found at the bottom of the State carriage. He +preserved it, with the dagger produced in the Commons by Mr. Burke,[250] +as memorials of those strange times, surely not as marks of the sagacity +or honesty of those he affects to admire! + +The device this time did not greatly assist Ministers. It made little +sensation either way. Government, however, in spite of a good but heavy +speech from Lord Grey, with which he was more dissatisfied than his [——], +and a spirited one from Lord Wellesley, met with ample support from the +House and more countenance from Lord Grenville than was of good omen +for the preservation of our party. Some approximation between Burdett +and Grey was produced by the recurrence of coercive measures. Cobbett +and Hunt took occasion, in letters to Lord Grey and interviews with me, +to adhere to a declaration of Lord Cochrane,[251] that the endeavours +of the people should be directed to the removal of the Ministry and the +elevation of the Whigs to power. It has happened more than once in the +course of my life that the party called Jacobins, Levellers, or Radical +Reformers, after reviling the Whigs and strengthening the High-Church +Party by lowering their opponents, have sought in the hour of danger to +shelter themselves under the party they have so traduced. The Whigs, and +let it [be] spoken with pride, have on such occasions, though smarting +from the recent ingratitude of their suppliants, been ever ready from +principle and generosity to stretch their protecting hands to persons +calumniated or persecuted by power. + +I saw Cobbett twice. His upright figure indicated the drill of a +soldier, his ruddy complexion and homely accent the subsequent character +of a farmer as well as his original condition. Neither countenance +nor conversation (at least at this time) were at all of a piece with +the sprightliness of his style, the shrewdness of his remarks, or the +closeness of his reasoning in written compositions. His objects were, the +co-operation of the Whigs in public meetings for a change of Ministry, +and their protection and countenance if he wrote in their favour. In +such objects I told him Whigs could not but concur, but I avoided all +appearance of any closer connection. He was alarmed at the threatened +suspension of the Habeas Corpus.[252] He very unaffectedly acknowledged +his distrust of his own nerves, and a dread of behaving meanly and basely +if arrested; he, therefore, hinted at an intention, which he afterwards +executed, of retiring to America. He earnestly asseverated that he never +had, and never would, belong to any political Opposition whatever. + +No concert, much less union, with this extreme branch of Radicals ensued. +Lord Grey, with the full consent of a large meeting of his Parliamentary +friends (called February 24, 1817), engaged on an opposition to the +suspension of the Habeas Corpus and to sundry coercive measures resorted +to by Government, and in which Lord Grenville and his immediate friends, +though disclaiming all rupture with the Whigs and professing undiminished +regard, openly acquiesced. Burdett soon and rapidly resumed his old +personal habits with many Whigs. Good will and communication between +the Whigs and him, as leader of reformers, remained uninterrupted, till +his deep but often shaded tinge of Toryism,[253] at last, separated him +from all the parties and persons with whom he had ever acted in public. +Parliamentary Reform, however, was not yet adopted as an indispensable +article in the Whig creed; nor did the Burdettites pledge themselves to +act as a party in bringing Whigs into power. + +Lord Fitzwilliam,[254] from old affections for many and from recent +disgust at the system of espionage so unnecessary and so revolting +to a generous and honourable mind, sided without hesitation with +us. From this period, he and his large connection became active and +important members of the popular division of the Whig party. With little +talent and less acquirements, he was, throughout life, one of the most +considerable men in the country and a striking instance of that most +agreeable truth—that courage and honesty in great situations more than +supply the place of policy or talent. It was not his relationship to +Lord Rockingham, though no doubt an advantage, nor his princely fortune, +though a yet greater, which conferred the sort of importance he enjoyed +for half a century in this country. He derived it more directly and more +certainly from his goodness and generosity, and from the combination of +gentleness and courage which distinguished his amiable and unpretending +character. Such unblemished purity and such unobtrusive intrepidity, +such generosity of feeling, firmness of purpose, and tenderness of +heart, meeting in one of high station and princely fortune, commanded +the affection and confidence of the public; and Lord Fitzwilliam enjoyed +them, beyond even those of his own class who united much greater reach +of understanding and more assiduity of business to superior personal +accomplishments and advantages. + +He had been named of the Committee,[255] but he fearlessly and publicly +condemned the evidence which had there been admitted. The suspension +of the Habeas Corpus was, nevertheless, carried in the face of Lord +Wellesley’s and Lord Grey’s opposition. Cobbett fled to America, and +returned, when the Suspension Act had expired, with the bones of Tom +Paine and a stronger disposition than ever to indulge in scurrilous +language and factious practices. The Radical party had manifestly +decreased in numbers, and the unprovoked measures of 1817 seemed invented +for the purpose of reviving its malignity and recruiting its force by +persecution. They had in my judgment that effect. + +The country this year sustained the loss of Francis Horner, a man whose +sobriety of judgment and patient application of considerable powers to +the best and wisest purposes of a public life would have placed him ere +long at the head of the rational friends of liberty (including Whigs and +reformers) in the House of Commons. His constitution was weak, and by +neglect of it he had brought on symptoms of atrophy. He repaired, by the +advice of physicians and at the earnest entreaty of friends, to a milder +climate: but it was too late. He died at Pisa on [February 8], 1817.[256] +Could anything connected with such a misfortune (which was to me, +personally as well as politically, a very great one) be termed gratifying +or satisfactory, the expression of regret at his loss in private, in +Parliament, and in public, would deserve those epithets. Lord Morpeth, +in moving the writ for St. Mawes, paid a feeling and judicious tribute +to his solid virtues and rising merit; he was applauded and supported +by many of the most respectable members of both sides of the House, +including Mr. Manners Sutton and Sir Samuel Romilly, the last too soon, +alas! destined to follow the pupil he so feelingly lamented. + +That great lawyer and philosopher was himself improving rapidly in +Parliamentary oratory, and yet more rapidly advancing in the estimation +and confidence of the people. During the Sessions of 1817 and 1818 he +mitigated many parts of the coercive bills. His arguments against capital +punishment made slow but deep impression on the public, and, though still +a lawyer in the greatest practice, he was at that period more nearly the +leader of the Whig party in the House of Commons than any other member. +Brougham, who, I fear, from motives of jealousy had much derided the +tribute paid to the memory of Horner, yet avowed and felt some deference +for Romilly. + +It was, I think, in 1817 that I moved an inquiry into the treatment +of Napoleon at St. Helena. Information derived from Count Montholon +and from the Bonaparte family fully justified my statement; but the +injudicious and exaggerated reports printed by a _valet-de-chambre_[257] +enabled Lord Bathurst,[258] by refuting what I did _not say_ and quoting +the publication instead of my speech, to assume the appearance of +contradicting what I _did_ say. I did not divide, though Lord Darnley, +never deficient in natural generosity, showed some disposition to urge it +on the House. + +In general, my political friends both in the Lords and the Commons,[259] +with the exception of Lord Ebrington[260] and Mr. Abercromby[261] (for I +do not reckon such a restless busybody as Sir Robert Wilson), were shy +of meddling with a subject which they ignorantly deemed unpopular in the +public and positively knew to be offensive at Court. I had and have the +satisfaction of believing that my motion, ill-supported as it was, had +an effect in alleviating the ill-treatment of a great man: but, having +recorded all I know of him in another chapter of this work, I pass to +other subjects in this. + +I spent the summer and autumn of 1817 in Holland and at Paris. It was +remarked to me by Mr. A. Baring,[262] and the remark was confirmed by +M. Pozzo di Borgo,[263] that the intense application of the Duke of +Wellington to the financial parts of the treaty, combined with his known +sagacity in adapting his means to his ends, indicated that his views on +returning to England would be directed to the Treasury. He did, in truth, +devote his mind most earnestly to the financial Committee, and studied +most intensely the questions of currency, resumption of cash payments, +taxation, expenditure, and exchanges. + +During the recess Lord Sidmouth attempted to justify his silly alarms +of revolution by yet more silly prosecutions against writings termed +seditious and blasphemous. Hone was indicted for an innocent parody.[264] +It was hypocritically represented as intended to bring the Scriptures +into ridicule, and the Prince Regent affected much sanctimonious +resentment at those who abetted blasphemy and profaneness by charitably +subscribing to alleviate the sufferings of a persecuted bookseller. Many +of them, and the Duke of Bedford particularly, were distinguished in +their stations for their attachment and reverence for religion; but it +was pretended that disapprobation of so indecorous an act as the relief +of a blasphemer was the motive for preferring Lord Grantham,[265] with +neither residence nor property and only an expectancy in Bedfordshire, to +the Duke, who had the largest property, and Woburn Abbey, in that county. +The Duke was more nettled than became him at being so passed over. He +wrote the Prince Regent a letter, which, like most from his pen, was well +composed. It met with general applause. Yet to me it seemed, in judgment, +defective and, in principle, almost indefensible. Not so thought the +public. Truth is, the English people love high spirit combined with high +rank. Whenever in assertions, even of unreasonable pretensions, a strong +feeling of independence is expressed by a man of station and family, not +only the multitude and his own party, but the whole community, are ready +to applaud, and even his antagonists to respect and admire him. + +The vacancy of [the] Lieutenancy in Bedfordshire in February, 1818, was +occasioned by the death of my maternal uncle, John, second Earl of Upper +Ossory, a man of taste and philosophy, to whom during childhood and youth +I was beholden for tenderness and advice almost paternal, and who left me +the estate and mansion of Ampthill[266]—a bequest munificent in itself, +and to me beyond all value, from the recollection of those who had +inhabited it and of the happy hours, days, months, and years I had spent +in their society. + +Lord Ossory had not that force of mind which public life demands or +creates, nor the habits of intense application to any object of ambition +or vanity. He had too much respect, not to say awe, of the opinion of +the world to make any strong or lasting impression; but he was far from +being a common man. In all branches of taste his perceptions were quick +and just, and on every question, private and public, his judgment was +sound and his expression of it distinct and sincere. No less a person +than David Hume predicted of him, when a young man at Paris, that he +would distinguish himself as much as Charles Fox. Perhaps the very +qualities which captivated that great philosopher, _viz._, an unusual +calmness of judgment, blended with some distrust of anything approaching +to vehemence or enthusiasm, extinguished all ambition in Lord Ossory, and +taught him to seek refuge in a tame and inglorious, but not unlettered or +irrational, life in the country. He was, though not _ingenti perculsus +amore_, a genuine worshipper of the Muses, and far from insensible to +the charms of literature or unskilled in the pursuit of many branches +of natural philosophy. Not many days before his death, he, to my great +satisfaction, expressed, with a warmth unusual in him, his approbation +of the tone of indignation and scorn in which I had spoken in the Lords +of the hypocrisy of the prosecution against Hone. Such testimony, from +a person little disposed to palliate the excesses of the press or to +sympathise in the exaggerations of a party, was a proof that Government +had assumed the attitude of hostility to the current of popular +feeling. To that obvious error much subsequent discontent, as well as +many difficulties we had to encounter for years afterwards, were mainly +attributable. + +During the Session of 1818, and especially on the Indemnity Bill,[267] I +acquired by practice more fluency in public speaking than I had hitherto +possessed, and got the ear of the House to a degree that placed me higher +in the rank of speakers than I had hitherto aspired to be or perhaps +could ever really deserve. + +That Session commenced in January, 1818. The Ministers, questioned by me, +announced an intention of repealing the Suspension Act[268] before the +address was moved; and, on the motion of it, Lord Stanhope,[269] the very +opposite of his father in political principle and greatly inferior in +talent and knowledge, but, like him, suspicious and eccentric, delivered +a speech, good in language but strange in conception, in which he +lamented that the first sentence in Cæsar had not been made the leading +article of the treaty of Peace (_Gallia omnis divisa est in partes +tres_), and much of a like tendency and taste. + +Lord Liverpool boggled at the epithet he should use in alluding to +his oration, and after some hesitation designated it, as “certainly a +remarkable speech.” As Stanhope had called France “a conquered, abject, +and despicable country,” it made more sensation in Paris than London. +It is said the French Ambassador remonstrated with Lord Liverpool for +calling Lord Stanhope his “Noble friend.” It hurried Lady Stanhope from +France, where she was then residing, and it required, according to +rumour, the good office of friends, as well as some discreet compliances +on the part of Lord Stanhope to which his nature had no particular +repugnance, to protect him from all personal indignity from French bravos +who would be patriots. + +The earnest and repeated debates on the Indemnity Bill had some effect +on the country, none whatever within the walls of Parliament. The +divisions were bad, the Whig party dispirited and disunited. At the +close of the Session some little spirit was raised on the renewal of +that odious measure, the Alien Act. A method of evading its provisions, +by purchasing stock in the Scotch Bank, under an Act of George I., was, +at the instigation of Lord Lauderdale (the last expedient, I fear, his +ingenuity ever exerted in favour of popular rights) resorted to by +General Flahault.[270] A more factious attempt to defeat this manœuvre +by an _ex post facto_ clause, moved by Lord Melville, was baffled by +myself and others prolonging the debate on the third reading in [the] +Lords till the House of Commons was up. There was no time for getting +through the formalities of agreement on our amendments without deferring +the Commission and the Prorogation, and in the choice of disasters the +Government submitted to the dreadful one of having a French officer +a naturalised subject of the kingdom in which his wife was a native +and a peeress. On this Alien Bill Sir Samuel Romilly had taken a very +prominent part, and on the ensuing dissolution he was chosen, against a +virulent opposition both of Tories and Radicals, for Westminster: thus +commencing to all appearance a career in politics as brilliant as that +he had run in his profession. But all these expectations terminated in +a scene of distress and horror, such as may, indeed, [have] been found +in the theatre or in romance, but rarely in the tragedies of real life. +His wife had died after much bodily suffering in the Isle of Wight, and +he, being brought up with great difficulty to London in a state of deep +melancholy, put an end to his existence two or three days after his +arrival in Russell Square. + +[Illustration: _Sir Samuel Romilly_ + +_J. Hoppner, R.A. Pinx_ + +_Emery Walker Ph. Sc._] + +Mr. Dumont,[271] who accompanied him on his journey, and who endeavoured +to relieve him by exciting his tears, told me that on being reminded in +passing Holland House that his children were there, he betrayed some +symptom of emotion, but rapidly relapsed into the deep depression of +spirits which betokened his despair and should have admonished his friend +of the consequences of it. It is singular, but true, that an epitaph +recording the sudden death[272] (probably the suicide) of an uncle of the +same name following that of his wife, was discovered on a tombstone in +one of the churches of London. + +Romilly was a man of strong sensibility and as strong opinions, +indulgent even to tenderness to those he loved. He had neither vanity +nor guile; but he was not perhaps entirely exempt from that gall which +intense pursuit of an object engenders in a proud and ardent but pure +and affectionate mind. His powers of reflection and reasoning were of +the very highest order, and he was capable of unbounded devotion to a +cause. There have been seasons and countries, in which the elements of +which his head and heart were composed would have fermented into zeal +and fanaticism. His early admiration of Rousseau, though afterwards +checked by the practice of a subtle, discriminating, and distrustful +profession on one hand, and counteracted by the more grovelling and +selfish maxims of his friend Bentham on the other, had wellnigh moulded +his genuine philanthropy into something of that shape and appearance, +but did, in fact, leave nothing but the traces of gentle, refined, and +over-nice sensibility and extensive philanthropy, more engaging and +exemplary perhaps than practicable. Yet no advocate was more apt to +persuade himself that his client’s cause was the best in the world, and +none certainly was more eager and earnest in enforcing that opinion. In +spite of his great legal aptitude of understanding, he formed a striking +and honourable exception to the pliability of principle so often and +so justly objected [to] in our legal politicians. Far from being too +temporising or too accommodating, he was more fixed and invariable in his +private and public principles, on both great and small occasions, than is +either common or convenient or perhaps desirable in a practical public +man. + +He has left memoirs of himself; I was permitted to read them in +1835.[273] The portrait, drawn by his own pen, of a mind struggling +with adversity and panting not so much for distinction or celebrity as +for the reward of self-applause from an approving conscience, forms a +valuable and curious piece of biography. Over-scrupulous tenderness for +his memory induced his family for a time to withhold it from the public, +a production which must raise his moral character and intellectual powers +in the estimation of the good and thinking part of mankind. It was the +project of Mr. Brougham and others to place him at the head of the party +on the meeting of Parliament. It was defeated by the stroke of death. +The inconvenience of a mixed and undisciplined band without any positive +commander in the Commons was obvious; and our active friends in the House +and the busybodies at Brookes’ concerted an offer of the lead to Mr. +Tierney.[274] Of this step Lord Sefton[275] and Lord Althorp[276] were, +I think, the chief promoters, the members of the House of Cavendish the +most earnest, and those of the House of Russell very willing and active +supporters. + +After some hesitation (for it was hardly in his nature to take any step +without some previous hesitation or some subsequent misgivings) he +accepted it. His oratory, though of no elevated, commanding, or even +brilliant kind, was perhaps the most popular and the most agreeable, +and certainly by far the most original, then left in Parliament. His +long experience of the House, his conciliatory temper, and above all +his shrewdness, sagacity, and diligence seemed to fit him admirably for +the station he thus assumed. It was, however, obvious that the general +deference to his judgment and the confidence in his principles bore a +very unequal proportion to the affection, good will, and delight, with +which his conversation and speeches were regarded. Those who loved him +best foresaw too clearly that in the essential qualifications of decision +and judgment he might prove deficient, and those less aware than his +intimate friends of his inflexible integrity not unnaturally attributed +the low standard, at which he too frequently rated the public virtue of +other politicians, to some crying defect in his own, although the real +cause was the inordinate fear he felt of being outwitted and, above all, +laughed at for presumption or simplicity.[277] + +In truth, his irresolution was fed, if not engendered, by that very +sense of humour which enabled him to discern so keenly and to expose so +admirably whatever was ridiculous in other public men. His pleasantry +and easy manners shed a charm over all intercourse with him, even on +the driest matters of business and detail. He meant to be, and he was, +courteous to all, and friendly and serviceable to his followers and +partisans. He had, moreover, other qualities, or rather an exemption from +other qualities, which seemed peculiarly adapted to win the affections +of independent men. Though not destitute of spirit, and though his +physical courage was redundant rather than deficient, he had perhaps +less pride and certainly far less vanity than any man of equal talents +and acquirements whom I ever had an opportunity of observing. I must +own, however, that in his capacity of leader of a party he was sometimes +too readily offended at insignificant deviations, and disproportionately +alarmed at the indiscretion of individuals. He was, in truth, always +striving to be more circumspect in conducting other men than is +compatible with preserving any authority over them at all; and yet by +a contradiction not uncommon in the caution which has its source in +timidity, he was occasionally so enamoured of some crotchet or refinement +of his own that he was hurried into courses hazardous and even rash. + +Little incidents and shades of differences at meetings held during 1819 +at Burlington House,[278] and attended by most of the Whigs, but not by +Mr. Lambton[279] (who had some private quarrel with Lord G. Cavendish), +disconcerted Mr. Tierney exceedingly. He was much keener in discerning +the existence and foreboding the consequences of accidental dissensions, +unavoidable in large bodies of men, than expert in concealing and healing +them; and the character of some members of his party, especially Mr. +Brougham, was sure to bring these disqualifications into action and +notice. They were, however, hardly perceptible to the public during the +first part of the Session of 1819. + +Several brilliant debates, in which he and Sir James Mackintosh shone +greatly, and which were followed by successful divisions, though on +matters of small importance, seemed fully to justify the choice which +had fallen upon him and promised his leadership no little _éclat_. But +debates under his guidance were too much trials of strength, and too +little a manifestation of the conflicting principles of the parties +engaged. He always laboured more to obtain wavering votes than to enforce +the views or particular course of action recommended by his party. So +enamoured was he of such a line of policy that, in an evil hour, he +determined to bring the relative strength of Government and Ministry to +a direct issue, and on May 18, 1819, he moved a Committee on the state +of the nation—a motion equivalent to one for the dismissal of Ministry, +and in the then state of parties justly remarked by Lord Castlereagh to +convey two distinct propositions: the first, that the Ministry in office +had _not_, and the second, that the gentlemen in Opposition _had_ the +confidence of the House. To neither of these propositions was the House, +though far from satisfied with the state of public affairs, prepared to +assent; and when convinced that the last was virtually involved in the +first, did not hesitate to reject the motion by an overwhelming majority. +Mr. Tierney was much disconcerted at this result, and it was not, I +think, long ere he renounced the leadership which he had assumed. + +The guidance of the party thus devolved to the guidance of three or four +men of weight (such as Lords Althorp and Tavistock) and others stimulated +by Brougham, or to that of chance itself. Parliament was prorogued in +July, 1819. During the recess which followed frequent meetings were held +in London and other populous towns. The avowed object was to petition +against grievances and for Parliamentary Reform, and the representations +of magistrates induced Lord Sidmouth, ever on the alert to flatter that +consequential class of personages, to press for a sudden meeting of +Parliament. His colleagues declined to adopt that inconvenient course. +He redoubled his activity in communicating with the busy magistracy and +in impressing on their minds the importance of vigilance against riot +and sedition. Hence, some from party spirit, and more from that pompous +bustle in which provincial authority delights to revel, fed him with idle +tales of plots and insurrections, and courted that official applause +which he seldom failed to administer. + +Atkins, the Lord Mayor, a foolish and violent man, at the risk of +provoking a real riot, arrested a brawling parson of the name of Harrison +in the very act of talking nonsense to a multitude.[280] This silly zeal +was magnified as a feat of prodigious vigour and decision. Many a justice +of the quorum waxed emulous of the fame of a Lord Mayor, who, according +to his own version of the matter, modestly reported that he had defeated +a conspiracy “to burn the Metropolis and to murder the inhabitants.” + +At Manchester the magistrates, instigated by one of the name of Fletcher, +resolved to eclipse the triumph of Smithfield and arrest Mr. Hunt +himself, the demagogue of the day, even before he had uttered a word. He +substituted for constables a body of Yeoman Cavalry. They were suddenly +let loose on a defenceless multitude of 4,000 men, women, and children +to execute the warrant.[281] The crowd, unarmed, had collected in a +square near St. Peter’s Church. They were hemmed in by the soldiery, and +on the slightest appearance of tumult would have been at the mercy of +a military, but irregular and somewhat exasperated, force. As it was, +excesses were committed and blood was shed, though more might well +have been apprehended. The carnage was probably exaggerated, and could +perhaps hardly warrant the designation, given of it to this day by the +people, of the “Massacre of Peterloo.” But it was an act of violence, +odious, illegal, revolting, unprovoked, and unnecessary. This may be +collected from a narrative in my possession, written by Mr. Stanley,[282] +afterwards Bishop of Norwich, who surveyed the whole scene from the +roof of the houses, and is much too conscientious a man to set down +aught in malice, though less willing than many of his cloth to extenuate +the excesses of authority. The intemperate eagerness, or, to use Lord +Grosvenor’s phrase, the breathless haste of the Home Office in thanking +the magistrates for shedding the blood of the people before it had +ascertained whether it was in observance or in breach of the law and the +nature of the force employed, riveted the recollection of this outrage +in the minds of the Manchester public. It rankled for many years. The +consequences were very sensibly felt at the time of the Reform Bill; +and the name of the “Massacre of Peterloo,” together with those of the +persons who were most forward in it, are not forgotten to this day. + +The Parliament, however, as then constituted, had no sympathy with +the sufferers; and when convened in November passed several angry and +restrictive laws without repugnance and even without the formality of +inquiry. The Whigs in the Lords resisted these unconstitutional laws in +speeches and protests (several of which I wrote); but Lord Wellesley, +who on recent occasions had taken a popular view of all such questions, +somewhat abruptly reverted to his old anti-Jacobin courses, and Lord +Grenville vindicated the exercise of authority against democratic and +tumultuous agitation with an earnestness and gravity which too plainly +indicated an entire separation from the party with whom he had acted +for fifteen years. His speech was elaborate and able—one of his best: +and among the last he ever delivered. He touched with feeling on the +differences subsisting between him and the reforming Whigs, and rescued +himself with great spirit and close logic from all imputation of +inconsistency, acknowledging and lamenting that he foresaw that practices +would be resorted to and defended by the eager friends of liberty, to +which he could never reconcile himself as compatible either with the +institutions of the country or the preservation of necessary authority. +It was, in short, clear that there subsisted a fundamental difference +of principle between the Fox and Grenville schools of politics, and the +course of events had brought into action these conflicting opinions. + +This was virtually the close of Lord Grenville’s public life, though +he lived many years. It was painful that so honourable a career should +end by a separation from many connected with and attached to him. The +termination, however, like the course of it, was manly and direct. There +was nothing sordid, nothing personal, nothing even inconsistent in it +on either side. I, for one, feel that among the rare gratifications of +a public life the reflection of having known and acted with such a man +as Lord Grenville is not the least. Soon after a reluctant attendance +on Queen Caroline’s Bill and a speech upon it that added little to his +reputation as an orator, logician, or judge, his health declined; he +lived chiefly in the country, and devoted himself almost exclusively +to literature, philosophy, and gardening. I had the satisfaction of +occasional correspondence with him on these topics, and also of giving +his proxy for the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts in 1828. He +died in 1833.[283] + + Non potui ejus mortem non dolere. Hominem enim, castum, + integrum, et gravem cognovi. + +Mr. Fox gave me his true character in one word, in 1805, when he said, “I +like Lord Grenville very much indeed. He is a _direct_ man.” + +The object of the early meeting being accomplished by the enactment of +the Restrictive Laws, the Parliament was adjourned over the month of +January, 1820. On the 23rd of that month died Edward, Duke of Kent. He, +as well as his brothers, had been married on the suggestion of Government +in the year 1818, with the view of securing the succession. The pregnancy +of his Duchess, who was a Princess of Saxe-Coburg and widow of Duke of +Leiningen, was announced early in 1819, when he and she were in Germany. +They were desirous, for obvious reasons, that their child should be +born in England; but the Prince Regent had no inclination to facilitate +that object by offering any pecuniary assistance. They had not enough +for their journey, and a generous loan of several thousands from Lord +Fitzwilliam (not repaid, I believe, till Victoria’s accession) extricated +them from their dilemma. To that circumstance the present Queen and her +subjects are indebted for the satisfaction of maintaining a native, as +well as parliamentary and constitutional, sovereignty. The Regent, not +content with the above gratification of malice rather than stinginess, +perversely objected to the child, when born, receiving the name of +Charlotte. The Emperor Alexander was to be godfather. But the Regent +discovered some rule of etiquette which forbade the combination of his +mother’s name with that of a foreign Crowned Prince. He wished the name +to be Alexandrina, only from a spiteful hope that it might be unpopular; +but such a design was successfully frustrated by that of Victoria being +also adopted. + +Living as we are, while I am writing this, under the Princess of that +name, there may be some increased curiosity concerning the character her +father bore among his contemporaries. I can furnish little to satisfy +it, from such slight communication as I had personally with him, and I +fear such report of his peculiarities as I can conscientiously repeat +from others, will not augment any regret at an untimely death, which +bequeathed to others the duty of forming the character of his far more +illustrious daughter. His exercise of authority both in Canada and +Gibraltar was liable to no exception on the score of negligence, but it +was deemed so harsh and vexatious that it rendered his removal from both +desirable.[284] His domestic life, though far from being dissolute or +indecorous, was not exemplary nor abounding in any very amiable traits of +disposition. + +The state of the Royal Family at the period of Princess Charlotte’s death +had been singular enough. We had a King and Queen greatly advanced in +years, and with no less than seven sons and five daughters alive, and all +beyond forty years of age; and yet from the want of grandchildren there +was no small prospect of the succession devolving on some foreign Prince. +While the means of supplying this defect by marrying the King’s sons was +in contemplation, it was, no doubt, remarked in every company throughout +the kingdom that the robust frame and abstemious diet of the Duke of Kent +marked him out as the survivor of all his Royal relatives then living. +Yet he died before them all, leaving an infant daughter, destined to +succeed to the Crown, in the cradle. He was, indeed, if such terms can +agree, regular to excess in all his habits. Household and family were +more strictly disciplined than a regiment or a convent, and the duties, +the occupations, and the amusements of every branch of his establishment +recorded, docketed, and preserved, with a minuteness I hardly venture +to recount. His life was clockwork, and some ludicrous instances which +his brother, George IV., loved to relate were such as might have rescued +Sterne in his delineation of Mr. Shandy from all charge of extreme +improbability. This observance of form and details, and above [all] this +restless love of business which it caused, produced other results less +creditable to his memory and far more vexatious to those connected or +acquainted with him. It involved him in correspondence with many low +characters of doubtful repute, and he was suspected (I fear with too much +reason) of having indirectly countenanced and disseminated the calumnies, +and even fomented the plots, against the Duke of York in the memorable +business of Mrs. Clarke. + +He certainly kept up a mysterious intercourse with almost every +discontented officer in the army, and he is much belied if he did not +secretly remunerate clerks in public offices, and inmates and servants +in private families, for what he deemed curious information. It is to be +hoped that he never earned, but he certainly obtained from his brothers, +the nickname of Joseph Surface: and the practices I have mentioned, +combined with assiduous attendance at public dinners, a specious +talent of speaking there, a plausible manner in society, and a formal +and dignified demeanour everywhere, gave some colour to uncharitable +imputations of very mischievous designs. Some certainly have thought it +fortunate that he did not live long enough to dabble in the troubled +waters, and prosecute the mysterious cabals which shortly after his death +harassed and degraded the Royal family, and went nigh to disturb the +peace of the country. + +Of course, I do not allude to the horrid plot for murdering the Ministry, +which was about this time conceived and nearly perpetrated by a ferocious +enthusiast and resolute assassin of the name of Thistlewood.[285] That +was detected and punished in the ensuing month, but had no countenance +nor connection with any man of rank or indeed of public character +whatever. But there were certain consequences resulting from the death +of his father, in which the Duke of Kent, had he been alive, might have +acted, if not a conspicuous, a very important part. + +George III. expired on January 30,[286] the anniversary of the execution +of Charles I., to whom he had been so often compared. It might have been +expected that after a King had reached the age of eighty-one, and had +been secluded for near ten years both from affairs and society, nothing +but a mere change of titles and names would have marked his descent to +the grave. But his son who was actually possessed, as well as successor, +of his prerogatives was so childishly averse to admitting of some formal +consequences of the demise of the Crown that he involved himself, his +Ministry, Parliament, and country in perplexity; which diverted all +attention from the real interests of the nation, threatened much internal +disturbance and calamity, and ripened, if it did not sow, seeds of what +fortunately became wholesome reforms, but might well have been confusion, +vengeance, and disorder. The reports of all that led to, and all that +occurred on, what is called the _Queen’s Trial_ are so voluminous and for +the most part so correct, and the subject is altogether so revolting to +good taste and so discreditable to the Government and the nation, that I +may be spared the mortification and disgust of doing more than touching +on such effects as it had on the state of political parties, and on a +circumstance here or there relating [to] the individuals, which escaped +the scrutinising curiosity awakened by that scandalous scene. + +The Prince Regent had all along dreaded lest, on his Accession, the +wife whom he detested would return to England, claim her dignity and +station, and expose him to mortification and embarrassment. Long before +his father’s death he would willingly have instituted proceedings for +separation and divorce. He was constantly nibbling at that bait, but he +found no man of influence in his councils or in Parliament bold enough to +engage in so hazardous an undertaking. + +It was thought, indeed, by several that the Princess might be persuaded, +cajoled, bribed, or intimidated into some deed of separation and a +promise never to return. This would, it was thought, spare the Prince +her presence on his Accession, and his Ministers many embarrassing +questions on which it would be difficult for _them_ to steer a course, +neither discreditable to their consistency and shocking to the sense of +justice and decorum, nor, on the other hand, offensive to the King and +fatal to their ascendancy at Court. Brougham was not at all unwilling +to lend himself to such a scheme. With his usual confidence in his own +dexterity, and with more than his usual effrontery, he obtruded some +such suggestion on the Prince Regent and his Ministry, implying and +much exaggerating his influence with the Princess. The basis of the +arrangement was to secure to her an ample income and a recognition of +rank and title on the demise of the Crown,[287] and to the successor to +it the certainty and comfort of her perpetual absence. + +Of these proposals he had consented, if not offered, to be the bearer. +When reminded of it in the House of Commons, he did not simply deny it, +but by vehement declamation and argumentative contradiction of collateral +points endeavoured to involve all that had passed between him, his +client, or the Government, in obscurity.[288] + +How far he was authorised by her, how far invited or accepted by Prince +Regent or Ministers to take the steps, it would perhaps be difficult +for the parties themselves to explain, and is certainly so for the +historian to ascertain. It all came to nothing. Some accused Brougham +of a plot to betray his client and ingratiate himself with her enemies, +others, of a wish to inveigle the latter into concessions and offers +which would enable him to expose them afterwards and to place himself +at the head of a popular party. Perhaps each side suspected him of such +designs upon them respectively. Certain it is that though he repelled +those charges with great ability and force, and some parts of them +with obvious truth, yet there remained a strong suspicion on the minds +of many that the entire failure of all agreement was mainly owing to +the want of confidence, on both sides, in the honesty and judgment of +the proposed agent (termed, by a bad joke, rather an offic_ious_ than +offic_ial_ adviser), and not from any reluctance on his part to make +himself subservient to the views of either. Whatever was the effect +of his interposition, nothing had been settled at the Accession of +George IV.; and the Queen seemed retrospectively to approve of all +Brougham’s proceedings by appointing him without loss of time her +Attorney-General.[289] + +One of the first public acts which the King in the ordinary course of +things was called upon to perform, was to sign an order for the omission +of the names of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and for the insertion +of himself as reigning King, and Queen Caroline as his Consort, in +the Liturgy. This he positively refused to do, and thereby astounded +his Ministers. An altercation ensued, which had wellnigh ended in the +dissolution of the Ministry. How exactly the matter was settled I do +not recollect; but the Royal Family including the Queen, and not naming +her, appeared in the _Gazette_, and the King, as the price of submitting +to such a compromise, exacted from his Ministers a promise that unless +the Queen were prevailed upon to remain abroad they would institute +proceedings against her immediately on her arrival in England. It was, +no doubt, foreseen by the King and by everybody else, the Ministers +excepted, that the Queen would consider the omission of her name and +title as an indignity, and hurry home to resent it. Even at this early +period some vague and indistinct communications were conveyed from the +King to leading individuals in Opposition. They betrayed the uneasy +footing on which he stood with his Cabinet, and must have shown him the +firm adherence of the Whig party to the public principles which they +professed; but they did no more. + +The King was proclaimed on a very cold day at Carlton House, by the +same person (Sir Isaac Heard)[290] who had officiated at his father’s +proclamation _sixty_ years before. The new Sovereign was so affected +by the weather that he was near giving old Sir Isaac an opportunity +of proclaiming a third King. His life, however, was saved by the bold +practice of Sir Matthew Tierney, who resorted, without hesitation, to +profuse bleeding. + +The Parliament was dissolved on February 28, and the atrocious plot of +Thistlewood and his accomplices was adroitly alluded to in the Speech as +substantiating the grounds on which the Coercive Acts had been passed. +Yet surely they rather confirmed the adverse remark, that penal laws +and precautionary measures of severity against sedition tend to provoke +schemes of assassination and to substitute the secret dagger for the open +tumult or riot. There was nothing in the character or conduct of the +criminals on this occasion to raise either sympathy or curiosity; nor +could the fate of men meditating such atrocities excite the slightest +commiseration. Yet the spectacle of the barbarous parts of the execution +was unsuited to the times; and the Government and Parliament felt that +they were more likely to disgust than to intimidate the public, and to +promote than to deter disaffection and conspiracy. They were soon after +silently abrogated by Act of Parliament in cases of high treason as well +as felony, although the yet more iniquitous consequence of that sentence, +the corruption of blood, was left unaltered. + +Fortunately for the Ministry, the returns of the new Parliament were +completed before the ulterior proceedings regarding the Queen were +announced or the intentions respecting her had transpired or been clearly +understood. Her resentment at the omission of her name was not positively +known till Parliament met, and with equal good fortune the Civil List +was voted before she arrived in the country, and before the discussions +arising upon it had perplexed the House of Commons and inflamed their +constituents. The dissolution had given the Government a majority +adequate to ordinary purposes. The Civil List, having been settled as +recently as 1816, and being in some degree exonerated by the death of +Queen Charlotte as well as the King, passed rapidly and smoothly through +Parliament. Had the temper of the House been as much ruffled as it was +six weeks afterwards, its passage would probably have been much rougher +and much of its valuable cargo have been thrown overboard to lighten the +vessel before it reached its destination. + +The address also passed unanimously on April 17. There seemed, indeed, +sufficient in foreign and domestic events to occupy the Parliament and +the public during the Session. In Spain, insurrectionary movements and +military mutinies had compelled the ever base and cowardly Ferdinand to +proclaim that Constitution of 1812, which his treachery and ingratitude +had subverted.[291] This revolution produced a mighty sensation +throughout the Continent, and it was obvious either the infection of +liberty would spread or an endeavour be made to crush it by the Holy +Alliance and the restored Bourbons of France. + +At home the great oracles on currency and bullion—such as that consistent +and philosophical observer, Lord King—pronounced some legislative +measures and some further approach to perfect liberty of trade and +currency necessary to avert impending embarrassments, and to establish +a wholesome condition of things. The trials of Mr. Hunt and Sir Francis +Burdett, the first, for sedition and riot at Manchester,[292] the +latter, for a seditious libel upon it, involved many questions on which +the public, at any other time, would have been apt to take fire and some +of a nice nature on the construction of Statute and the principles of +Common Law. The Irish Roman Catholics, too, often over sanguine, began to +speculate on the consequences of the Accession, and of a King who, though +lately estranged from their cause, had been long supposed to be a friend, +and might, as they fondly imagined, revert to his early predilections. +Mr. Grattan, though in a feeble state of health, was hurrying over at +their earnest instigation, and in fervent hope of closing his glorious +career by a striking, if not successful, effort of expressing eloquence +on behalf of his countrymen. But he breathed his last the day after +he reached London, almost at the moment when the Queen’s triumphant +arrival extinguished for a time all interest about that great question +more effectually than the death of its ablest advocate, overwhelmed the +Government with consternation, adjourned all incipient reform on the +business of Grampound,[293] and obliterated the consideration of all +topics of public concern; thereby furnishing a beautiful comment on the +institution of monarchy, which can render the personal and disgusting +squabbles between a man and his wife, neither remarkable for their +talents nor respectable for their virtues, a much keener object of +solicitude to an enlightened people than the fate of surrounding nations +or the improvement and welfare of their own! + +Lord Grey did not attend the early part of the Session. He intrusted +to me a petition from a parson of the name of Pike Jones,[294] a man +of coarse manners, but not deficient in learning or understanding, +whom the Bishop of Exeter, Dr. Pelham, the weakest sycophant on the +Bench, had refused to induct to a living. The pretext was that he had +spoken irreverently of the Articles and the Athanasian Creed at a +public meeting; the real motive was to pay his court to George IV., by +persecuting a clergyman who had at that meeting manfully and charitably +maintained the principles of universal toleration. + +My case was strong. I endeavoured, not without success, I believe, +to demonstrate that were the Church of England to be judged, as the +Anti-Catholics among them judge of the Papist, by such maxims and +professions as she is unwilling to renounce but does not practically +act up to, she might, through her Articles, Homilies, and Creeds, be +convicted of bigotry, if not perhaps so extensive, full as inveterate +and odious as that of the Roman Catholic Church. The Bishop, however +callous to reproach, was scared at the severity with which several grave +and church-going peers, especially Lord Carnarvon and Lord Lansdowne, +stigmatised the transaction; and though the Bishop of Durham,[295] the +highest Churchman on the Bench, censured the language both of Mr. Jones +and Lord Carnarvon, it was obvious enough that he, as well as Ministers +and the other Spiritual Lords, if compelled to pronounce a verdict on the +subject, would have condemned his conduct as intemperate and illegal. + +The Queen, with an intrepidity defying legal advice as well as King, +Cabinet, and Parliament, made a strange and triumphant entry into London, +with Alderman Wood[296] at her side and her ladies opposite, on June +[7], 1820. The Ministers redeemed their pledge to the King, and on the +6th brought down a message to Parliament, accompanied by papers in a +green bag relating “to the conduct of the Queen since her departure.” +The negotiations preceding her determination to come to London were all +brought in great detail before the public. + +I have already stated my reasons for not recounting or commenting on +them, or upon those, with a like failure, which were instituted by the +Commons to induce Her Majesty to acquiesce in some arrangement which +would avert the necessity of any public investigation. In some of the +preliminary steps to the inquiry I took a part, with a view that the +whole proceeding might be quashed in the earliest stages, and stifled +without casting blame on either party. I was even induced, by an idle +hope of abrogating an unjust and unnatural law (from which I apprehended +future mischief to monarchy), to propose the Repeal of the Royal Marriage +Act, which passed in the year 1772 to gratify the malice and feed the +pride of George III.[297] I had no view, retrospective or immediate, +to the squabble, then existing in the Royal Family and disturbing +at once business of Parliament and the peace of the country; but I +vainly imagined that a sense of those inconveniences, arising from the +constraints under which Royal marriages are contracted, might dispose +men’s minds to relax or remove such constraints in future. Friend and foe +scouted the proposition, and seemed to suspect it to be a manœuvre to +answer some immediate but concealed purpose. The fact is, all minds were +intent on giving a triumph to one of the contending parties on the matter +before them, and reckless of everything else. I, of course, let my bill +drop after the first reading. + +Lord Liverpool asked me in private if I would sit on the second Committee +about to be appointed for an examination of the papers; I declined, but I +did so, as I told him, on private rather than public grounds, thinking my +name by no means an advantageous one to be selected for judicial inquiry +on a matter connected with divorce. Lansdowne consented to be named, but +he afterwards publicly withdrew; and as in the _interim_ the Commons had +shown their distaste and the public their resentment of the proceeding, +his change of conduct, though judicious, natural, and prudent, was +for that very reason, by the promoters of the measure, stigmatised as +irresolute and unhandsome. Most of our party, and all who had been of +Cabinet in 1806, were, in truth, at first very unwilling to espouse the +cause of the Queen. We had no great confidence in its merit and none +whatever in her character; and we thought such a line of conduct would +expose us to the charge of faction or revenge. On the other hand, we were +as little disposed, after the treatment we had received, to identify +ourselves a second time with the King, and to brave unpopularity by +encouraging him in an ungenerous and unnecessary vexation of a half-crazy +woman. + +Several, however, of our friends, Lords Donoughmore and Hutchinson, +Sir John Leach,[298] Lord Lauderdale, and perhaps the whole Cavendish +connection, either felt disgusted with the Queen or deemed it in their +hearts a good opportunity for recovering Court favour, and possibly for +outbidding those who were in possession of office. But some few in the +Lords, very many in the Commons, and nearly all out of doors, wrought +upon by Brougham and either sincerely biassed by indignation at what they +deemed persecution or stimulated by faction and revenge, were panting for +the exposure of the King and ready to exalt the Queen as their heroine +and to inflict mortification and defeat upon him. + +We were not the only party perplexed at the position we had assumed. +Mr. Canning was in a yet more awkward predicament. He had been +intimate, scandal said, too intimate, with the Queen. The rumour was +countenanced by the King’s marked aversion to him; and the notoriety of +her consultations with him, before she quitted, had served to confirm +the suspicion. Yet he had acquiesced in the exclusion of her name from +the Liturgy. He did not appear either in Council or in Parliament to +have made any very strenuous exertions to screen her from prosecution +or aspersion. But when that provocation was determined and announced, +he lamented it loudly, spoke in warm terms of his obligations and of +the charms of her society. He asked an audience of the King, and stated +to him the impossibility of taking any part in the proceedings against +her. The King commanded him to remain in his service, but permitted him +to state that he did so exclusively in consequence of that command, +and allowed him to adhere to his resolution of taking no part. This he +considered as a postponement of his resignation, which was tendered and +accepted in the winter of 1820.[299] + +Surely this was a strange course. It afforded her no assistance or +protection. It must have grievously offended his colleagues and the King, +and so far from rescuing her character from reproach, it seemed to imply +some secret and mysterious reason that disqualified him for a judge or an +accuser.... + +In the meanwhile, the negotiations of the Commons with the Queen (though +much to the mortification of Mr. Wilberforce and other grave members +who conducted them, they ended in nothing) gave strong colour to the +apprehension that, even if a bill of Pains and Penalties should pass the +Lords, it would, by direct vote or by delay, be inevitably lost in the +Commons. The thought of this animated and inflamed the public. Reports, +perhaps unfounded, of murmurs among the soldiery were afloat.[300] They +were said to confound the authority of a Queen with that of a King, +and, conceiving them to be co-equal and co-ordinate, to imagine it left +to their option which to obey. Certain it is that the lowest orders of +the community and the fanatic sects of the middle ranks were both, for +different and even opposite reasons, stirring partizans of the Queen. + +The clergy incurred great odium by their ready and over-zealous +acquiescence in the views of a Court which was neither moral nor +decorous. They could not disobey the injunctions of their superiors about +the Liturgy; but their industry in disseminating the filthiest tales +about the Queen and their haughty displeasure at every popular movement +on her behalf, disgusted and irritated their flocks exceedingly. Never +since the period of Charles I. were the English people so estranged from +the Established clergy as on this occasion. Many useful reforms effected +since, as well as many less sensible but not less certain symptoms of +the declining influence of the hierarchy, may be traced to that epoch. +They have been slowly and indirectly, but not unjustly, mulcted and +reduced for abetting the petty malice, and conniving at the ill-assumed +hypocrisy, of an unprincipled and revengeful Prince. + +The report of the Committee of the House of Lords recommending a bill +of Pains and Penalties was read on July 4, and Lord Liverpool presented +the bill on the next day. It had been settled by an understanding, not, +I believe, by a vote of the House, that Her Majesty’s legal advisers, +even though members of the other House, should be allowed to be heard +and to conduct her defence at the bar; although members of the House +of Commons are not usually admitted as counsel for or against any +legislative proceeding. However, the whole proceeding was anomalous, and +the counsel on both sides were members of Parliament. The proceedings on +the bill were to be resumed, or as in common parlance it was described, +the Queen’s trial was to begin, on August 17, and on that day Parliament +Street was lined by a crowd whose aspect was far more formidable than +their numbers. Unlike English multitudes, their countenances seemed +to indicate design, determination, and revenge. They hissed some and +applauded other peers as they passed; but they performed both those +tasks with such marked indifference that it was difficult not to suspect +that they had some more serious undertaking in view. One man quitted his +companions, and, placing himself at the head of the Duke of Wellington’s +horse (as he was riding down to the House), clenched his fist, and +repeated the word _Ney_ three times with great emphasis and anger—an +exclamation which surprised the bystanders exceedingly, and is said to +have disconcerted the Duke himself not a little. Soon afterwards the +railing which barricaded the street was broken down by mere pressure, and +advantage was taken of this incident to augment both the military and the +police. Owing to such precautions or to other accidents, the appearance +of the people in the streets, though in numbers always considerable, +gradually improved in character, and they became, as English mobs +generally are, as manageable and good-humoured as at an election or a +fair. + +As I had taken some part in the preliminary discussions, chiefly to mark +my disapprobation of so unusual, hazardous, and unnecessary a proceeding, +so I voted for the Duke of Leinster’s motion to rescind the whole and +reject the bill without any inquiry at the bar. But during the inquiry +itself, I was for the most part employed in writing nonsensical puns and +epigrams on the various indecencies which occurred, and tossing them +across the table to the Chancellor for his diversion, and I believe I +was the only Lord practised in public speaking who asked not a single +question during the inquiry. Once or twice, before the Order of the Day +was read, I endeavoured, but in vain, to rouse the attention of the +House to the grave events passing in Europe. I also spoke on occasions +which seemed to me opportune for dismissing the subject altogether, and +I occasionally expressed my opinion on matters of form which arose in +the course of it. Upon these latter points I acquired, chiefly during +that period, a very undeserved reputation for a knowledge of the rules +and orders of the House, which I do not possess. I have, however, +frequently, though not perhaps without laughing or at least smiling in +my sleeve, taken some credit for it, and availed myself of the delusion +to facilitate public business or possibly to give a friendly party a +lift. Form is so necessary in an assembly as large as the House of Lords +is become, that perhaps where there is neither code nor individual +vested with authority, it is pardonable to counterfeit more wisdom than +one possesses and lay down some law in an authoritative tone. Lords of +order, like yet greater beings, may be worshipped because some worship is +convenient, rather than because their oracles are infallible. + + Expedit esse Deos et, ut expedit, esse putemus. + +Lord Grey earnestly wished to give to this bill all the outward dignity +of an impeachment, and asked, on his legs, if there were not a more +solemn way of voting than is usually practised on a division. I stated +to him and the House that the regular and orderly, though generally +neglected, method of taking votes on bills and motions much more nearly +resembled that of taking individual judgments on a trial than from +the common practice might be supposed. On a question being put, every +Lord should in strict form be called, and should stand up in his place +and say _Content_ or _Not Content_, in the same manner as he answers +_Guilty_ or _Not Guilty_ in Westminster Hall on an impeachment. What +was called a division of the House, by the _Contents_ going below and +the _Not Contents_ staying within the bar, was a convenient device for +ascertaining the number of votes _that had been given on each side_, but +does not strictly or technically constitute the act of voting; which +was presumed to have been done in obedience to the injunction from the +Woolsack, “Those who are for the motion will say _Content_, and those who +are against it will say _Not Content_.” The strict form was accordingly, +on this solitary occasion, observed. We stood up and voted _seriatim_. We +then divided, and were told, as usual, to ascertain the number who had +said _Content_ or _Not Content_. This proceeding, from the long disuse of +it, was imposing enough; and I not improbably owe the character and the +authority of a profound Lord of order chiefly to the accident of having +suggested it. + +The questions on the various stages after the examination of witnesses +were preceded by long debates. In the course of them I shortly stated +my reasons against the form, expediency, or necessity of such a bill, +but studiously avoided giving the character of a verdict of _Not Guilty_ +to that opinion. Others were not so cautious. Many on both sides +displayed great subtleness and eloquence. But yet there was a certain +lack of earnestness, sincerity, and truth in all that was said, and, +in my judgment, individuals and parties, as well as our monarchy and +institutions, appeared to sad disadvantage throughout the performance. It +was a farce, and a sorry, disgusting, and dangerous one. The manner in +which Lord Liverpool dropped the curtain after the third reading is well +known. His pretext was that slender majority of nine, which voted for +that last reading, did not exceed the number of Cabinet Ministers who had +already given a previous and extra-judicial opinion by advising the bill; +but his real motive was a conviction that, if he persisted, the bill +would be lost in the Commons, or, passing, produce some convulsion in the +country. + +The relinquishment of the bill was hailed almost instantaneously in the +purlieus and adjoining streets with loud shouts of triumph. Within the +walls there were, no doubt, many much mortified at so lame and impotent +a conclusion; but, though some few protested, the Duke of Montrose alone +ventured to raise his voice against an ignominious withdrawal of so grave +and, as he thought, so well substantiated a charge. He acted honestly, no +doubt. But as he had been by no means a pattern of purity in his youth, +he could gain no credit for virtuous abhorrence of female frailty; and +having been celebrated in verse and prose as a specimen of that brood +which cackles around the Capitol, he must have hissed at the sorry +catastrophe of the drama, more from aristocratical disdain of the low +character of the paramour than from puritanical horror at the heinousness +of the offence. However gloomy and even awful had been the commencement +of the business, the fulness of the town at an unusual and agreeable +season of the year, the entire close of business after four o’clock in +the day, and perhaps some circumstances connected with the nature of +the inquiry, rendered the period of its progress singularly festive and +gay. Its permanent effect on the House was not so fortunate. It, in some +degree, verified Lord Egremont’s prediction that the habit of putting +questions to witnesses would familiarise every blockhead to hearing his +own voice in public, and he would hereafter weary the House with his +silly remarks on various occasions. The Lords, if not more unmanageable, +became from this period a more loquacious assembly than heretofore. + +The King must have been sorely nettled at the result. He taxed his +Ministers with pusillanimity, and sometimes affected to suspect them of +treachery. He authorised various persons, such as Lord Donoughmore, Lord +Hutchinson, Sir John Leach,[301] and others, to make half-confidences to +Lord Grey, Lord Lansdowne, Mr. Tierney, and myself. If there was really +any further design in such communication than to feel our pulse and alarm +his Ministers at the possibility of a change, that design proved quite +abortive. Lord Grey justly remarked in a letter, November 21, 1820, that +it was impossible for the King and his Ministers to separate, however +much they might hate one another. + +The Queen’s advisers and partizans, miscalling the cessation of all +proceedings an acquittal, were busily endeavouring to set up her Court +in rivalry to that of her husband. She gave dinners and had parties; but +she had neither a case, a character, nor friends, to enable her to play +that game with success; and some ladies of rank and character wrote their +names at her door, or even on invitation dined at Brandenburg House, but +none took office in her household. It was manifest that her station in +fashionable society could never be made either brilliant or comfortable +to herself or her visitors. + +Whatever might be her failure in London society the agitation in the +country continued. Numberless meetings were held, which passed petitions +for the introduction of her name in the Liturgy, and pointed more or +less directly to the removal of Ministers who advised the prosecution. +If I may judge from the two which I was prevailed upon to attend—those +of Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire—the enthusiasm in her cause had not +abated in the country for several months after the failure of the bill. +Yet perhaps in the course of the winter, and yet more manifestly during +the early part of the ensuing year, the tide of popularity was on the +turn. Her exhibition at St. Paul’s and the King’s re-appearance at +the public theatres had very opposite effects. The first weakened the +interest engaged in her cause, and the latter softened in some degree +the displeasure felt against him. She, on November 29, proceeded to St. +Paul’s to return thanks and take the Sacrament. She thereby scandalised +many religious persons, who deemed it a profanation of a holy rite, and +she disgusted the indifferent, who regarded it as a piece of needless +hypocrisy. The King, three months afterwards, mustered courage to show +himself in public, and his reception at the theatres in February, though +neither brilliant nor striking, indicated plainly enough that the popular +frenzy was subsiding.[302] + +All this preceded and accounted for the comparative flatness with which +her subsequent endeavours to revive popular feeling at the Coronation, +and even her death and funeral, with all their exciting circumstances, +were received in the course of a short year from the period of her +prosecution. The King’s asperity was not so speedily mitigated as the +people’s disrelish of it; for when in the ensuing year the intelligence +of the death of Napoleon, which arrived before the Queen was taken ill, +was announced to him in the ambiguous terms—“I have, Sir, to congratulate +you: your greatest enemy is dead,” he unguardedly exclaimed, “Is _she_, +by God?” thus betraying the gradation in which personal spite ranged +above political enmity in his narrow and pitiful mind. + +In 1820 died Sir Arthur Pigott,[303] a high-minded man and sound lawyer, +who combined real philosophy with considerable eloquence, acuteness, +and learning; and who, although in all exigencies, public and private, +singularly serviceable to his friends and party, was too unobtrusive to +acquire the celebrity to which his rare attainments and elevated mind +certainly entitled him. His appearance was indeed uncouth; and both in +figure and his face it was said that anatomists could trace affinity to +the African race.[304] If so, he afforded practical proof that the narrow +theory which denies capacity to that affectionate people is as erroneous +as it is uncharitable. I have heard that, at an early period of his +professional life, he had been a solitary instance of a contemporary or +rival at the Bar unfairly treated by Lord Erskine. He was certainly among +the many whom that extraordinary advocate, by bursting out into a sudden +blaze, eclipsed and for a while seemed to extinguish. + +About the time of his death, Lord Erskine, who had involved himself +in many embarrassments, pecuniary and domestic, was making the last +exhibition in public worthy of his former fame. He moved on July 24, +on the eve of the examination relating to the Queen, that a list of +the witnesses should be forthwith delivered to the Queen to enable her +to prepare her defence; but in his subsequent attempt to sum up the +evidence he was interrupted in his speech by a loss of recollection, the +consequence, as he thought, of sudden and severe illness. He recovered, +however, to all appearance. The two or three years he survived added +little to his happiness and less to his reputation. + +Here then in 1820 closed his singular career, and here a friendly +chronicler may feel pleasure in retracing the lines of his character. +Few lives have been more useful to the laws of his country, and none +more serviceable to his contemporaries, and, indeed, to the liberties +of mankind, than Lord Erskine’s. His wonderful exertions in the trials +of 1794[305] stemmed the torrent of political violence, which was +rapidly rising. In my conscience I believe, that had Horne Tooke and his +associates fallen victims to a charge of constructive treason, it would +not have been long ere the first men in the country, and among them +perhaps the very individuals who instituted the proceedings, would have +followed their fate; for a system of political vengeance and persecution +as merciless, though in an opposite direction from Robespierre’s, would +have been inevitably established. From such scenes I believe we were +protected chiefly by the successful genius of Erskine. His character +was as extraordinary as his career. Who ever attained so suddenly +such celebrity at the Bar? Who ever held it longer? Who owed it more +undeniably to brilliant talents and amiable virtues? Who, above all, +ever exercised in that profession such superiority, with such uniform +amenity of manners, such magnanimity to young and old, to inferiors and +followers, to equals and rivals—in short, to all who approached him? + +In a career whose very essence is contention, it is marvellous how little +angry passion of any kind he either betrayed or provoked. His triumphs +(and who had more?) wounded nobody. His disappointments (and he had his +share) never fretted and hardly ruffled him. It is said he has left +memoirs of his early and professional life. If they relate exclusively to +passages in his professional career (to which I earnestly exhorted him +to confine himself), they will be not only curious but invaluable. If +they embrace politics and private life, they must, I fear, disappoint the +world; and they will certainly surprise and divert rather than instruct +or enlighten his readers. Yet he was a clear and pleasant writer, +when the subject he treated of was such as suited his powers. Even in +politics, in which he was anything but sedate or wise, what was miscalled +his failure in Parliament should not have occasioned a neglect of his +printed speeches. They were often very finished performances; but those +delivered at the bar, and afterwards edited by himself, are absolute +models of forensic eloquence. They abound in beauties. They have pathos, +vehemence, wit, and fancy, and, above all, an originality of mind which +they who knew him little and late could hardly imagine to have been in +him. Truth is, he was a phenomenon throughout. Well might Mr. Robert +Smith say that he knew not why God Almighty should have been at the pains +of making a _nisi prius_ lawyer, but he certainly had been and succeeded, +when Erskine was formed. Vain even to a proverb, he seldom, very seldom, +mortified the vanity, and he _never_ grudged or envied the success, of +any other man. + +Destitute of all classical education, and consequently debarred from +all familiarity with the great models of poetry and oratory, he was yet +remarkable in public and private for the taste and purity of his diction. +After serving in two active professions, the Navy and the Army, and +speaking broad Scotch at the age of 22, he, in the course of five years +from that time, was scarcely more distinguished for any other branch of +oratory than the grace of his delivery and the beauty and correctness of +his elocution. His sagacity and discretion _in a cause_ were unrivalled, +but they scarcely exceeded his levity and impudence _out of it_. His +judgment and dexterity in other men’s affairs equalled, but it could +not surpass, his simplicity and childishness, not to say silliness, in +the management of his own. No one gave him credit for much sensibility +or very strong affections. Yet the zeal, the earnestness, the energy, +with which he espoused the interests of a client, the light-hearted +playfulness with which he enlivened the gravest deliberations, his +sweetness of temper and gracefulness of manner, made him a welcome +associate in all companies and the intimate friend of some of the wisest +and best of his contemporaries. His public principles were unquestionably +of no very inflexible kind. They had, perhaps, never been very deeply +considered, and yet honour or accident, the recollections of early life, +and an unaffected deference for the more comprehensive genius of Mr. +Fox, which, vain as he was, he never disputed or regretted, rendered him +one of the most consistent party men of our days, at least, among those +who from lawyers have become politicians. + +In short, in drawing his character one might go on with one endless +antithesis; and it is not the least remarkable circumstance about him +that, in spite of apparent contradictions in his composition, there +scarcely ever was a man on the great theatre of the world about whose +qualities, moral and intellectual, all persons and parties were more +generally agreed. I have chosen to close his character here, for there +was nothing in the last years of his life on which a friend could dwell +with any satisfaction, though there was nothing on which a biographer or +historian could be called upon to dilate. He died in very embarrassed, +not to say indigent, circumstances in 1823. + +Though the Session of 1820, of which I am now speaking, was engrossed +with the Queen’s business, time was found by the Ministers to pass an +Act for continuing that odious and unconstitutional law called the Alien +Bill. I did my best, but in vain, to rouse some feeling against it. I +was left in a minority of seven. On the other hand, a just and necessary +amendment of the Marriage [Act] was, after some discussion, lost in the +Lords,[306] though the earnestness and home truths of Lord Westmorland +and the eloquence of Lord Ellenborough in its favour made an impression +which ensured some success in that work of mercy and justice on a future +occasion. + +But though the legislation of this country was torpid during 1820, the +Continent of Europe was not so inert. The Spanish Constitution of 1812 +ran like wildfire through the south of Europe.[307] It was proclaimed +at Naples, where no copy of it was to be found, and within a month it +was adopted in Portugal likewise. The Emperor of Russia and the other +members of the Holy Alliance were not unmindful of these events. They +signified their apprehension of such revolutionary movements, and, +obliquely threatening some efforts to suppress them, called on their +Allies to meet at Laybach to take the state of affairs in Italy into +serious consideration. Accordingly, at the commencement of 1821, and on +the opening of Parliament in January, the Government and the two Houses +seemed once more occupied with questions affecting the interests of +Europe. They were, indeed, diversified by the county meetings praying +for the restoration of the Queen’s name to the Liturgy, to which I have +already adverted. + +The Duke of Wellington began to take a greater part in debate than +hitherto, and, I suspect, in Council, too, after Mr. Canning had +withdrawn. In a speech in the House of Lords he ventured on a paradox +which shocked the friends of freedom exceedingly. He maintained that open +public meetings were an absolute farce, and pretended that resolutions +and addresses got up in private, which had been pretty generally resorted +to with a view to counteract the impression of those voted in public, and +which were much branded as hole-and-corner petitions, were more deserving +the attention of Parliament. + +Mr. Canning, who had absented himself while the Queen’s Bill was pending, +actually resigned in December. He had received the King’s permission +to do so. It may be said to have been matter of agreement with him +and the King, as appears from a letter written by him to one of his +constituents.[308] But the publication of that letter was not agreed to +or permitted, and gave His Majesty much umbrage. So much so, that Mr. +Canning was obliged to explain and to accuse the poet Campbell, in whose +magazine it first appeared,[309] of a breach of confidence or, at least, +of discourtesy for printing it without his authority. It is possible that +Mr. Canning’s retirement from the Cabinet at that critical moment in some +degree facilitated the measures of the Holy Alliance, who then or shortly +afterwards determined to trample on the rising liberties of Italy, +and succeeded in their iniquitous projects through the pusillanimous +treachery of the King of Naples and the irresolute, if not insidious, +connivance of the French and English Cabinets.[310] It is true, however, +that Lord Liverpool and Lord Castlereagh, both in speeches and public +papers, unequivocally disclaimed all participation in the proceedings +against Naples, and all sanction or approbation of the principles of the +Congress of Laybach. + +Their efforts, however, to prevent the interference they thus affected +to lament were very faint indeed, and their distribution of naval force, +far from impeding, seemed to assist the views of the Holy Alliance. It +was, however, confidently asserted by some well-informed persons that +it was the real wish of the Duke of Wellington, and yet more of Lord +Castlereagh, even at that time to discountenance all armed interference +with the revolutions of countries nominally independent. Some even +maintain that had the negotiations remained in the hands of Lord Stewart, +the present Lord Londonderry,[311] the aggressive measures against +Naples would never have been resorted to. Accident or personal caprice +occasioned Lord Stewart’s absence at the time; and the conduct of the +affairs devolved on Robert Gordon,[312] who, deeply imbued with his +brother Lord Aberdeen’s predilection for the Austrians, was easily +cajoled by their arts to depart from the spirit of his instructions. + +George IV. no doubt rejoiced in secret at the failure of any endeavours +to check the anti-revolutionary intervention of Austria; and is it +uncharitable to surmise that a Cabinet, weakened in numbers, talents, +and popularity by the secession of Mr. Canning and by the unsatisfactory +results of the proceedings against the Queen, were disposed to pacify +the King by injurious compliances with his passions, or at least by the +faintness of their resistance to his ruling prejudices and prepossessions? + +In February and March there were many animated debates on these topics. +In the course of them I took an active and, as some thought, an +intemperate and imprudent part. In one of them, when called to order +by Lord Harrowby, I disdained to have the appearance of qualifying +by finishing my sentence as I had intended; and, so interrupted, it +seemed to charge the Emperor Alexander with a participation or at least +connivance at the murder of his father, whereas my meaning was to +utter a much less disputable, as well as less offensive, allegation, +namely, that it ill became him to charge those who derived their power +from insurrection or mutiny with being necessarily accessories after +the fact to the perpetration of a crime, for he was himself sitting +on the throne reeking with the blood of his own father, and would +consequently, by a parity of reasoning, be exposed to the unfounded or, +at least, questionable imputation of being cognisant of and responsible +for the murder. The diplomatic agents of Russia felt or affected great +indignation. Up to the period of Alexander’s death they pointedly +avoided my society. It was whispered that Count Lieven,[313] a very +gentlemanlike man, had some thoughts of making it a personal quarrel; and +my old friend Pozzo di Borgo soon after, at Paris, though not unwilling +to meet me, conveyed his regret that he could neither exchange visits nor +invite me to his house. + +I was in France for five or six months in the summer of 1821; but before +I set out, I had the satisfaction of getting an act through Parliament, +which in turbulent times may have the beneficial effect of saving the +lives of many persecuted and obnoxious men. Availing myself of an +admission of Lord Eldon that the laws relating to treason should be +alike in all parts of the United Kingdom, I pointed out to him the fact +that the just and benevolent statute which requires two witnesses to an +overt act of treason was not in force in Ireland; and that men there, in +our own time, had been convicted and executed on the testimony of one +only. He promised not to oppose a bill to amend this defect; and when I +introduced it, [it] glided almost imperceptibly through both Houses of +Parliament, to my great satisfaction. Is it vanity to say that when one +has succeeded in enacting such an improvement one feels that one has not +lived in vain, and that one has done something to rescue from reproach +that anomaly which confers for birth alone an undue share in making laws +for the community to which one belongs? The bill for the relief of Roman +Catholics, having passed the House of Commons, was thrown out in the +Lords. + +I soon after went to France. Such English intelligence as reached me +there may be better found in Parliamentary Reports, _Annual Registers_, +and other printed works. To them I refer my reader. He will, no doubt, +remark in the debates [on] the Grampound Enfranchisement Bill the gradual +but sure tokens of a rising statesman and philosopher in Lord Russell, +and in the measure itself the progress of the principle of Reform in the +public, as well as some indication of the effects likely to be produced +on that question by the shortsighted resistance of the High Tory party to +every improvement, however small. + +The death of Napoleon was one of the events of this year. The manner it +reached me, and many other particulars relating to that extraordinary +man, are recorded in a separate book of this work, and require no +repetition here.[314] + +The Queen’s attempt to force herself into the presence at the Coronation +was unsuccessful and undignified. It outraged the feelings of the +country, and was deprecated by a large portion of her friends and +advisers. Even Sir Robert Wilson, not the least zealous or rash of her +counsellors, vehemently protested against it, and absented himself +purposely on the occasion. The imputations cast upon him afterwards of +planning a mutiny and insurrection were utterly groundless. He was at +Paris when news of her death and the projected procession arrived, and he +consulted me on the propriety of attending it, after having so recently +parted with Her Majesty on a difference respecting her attempt to appear +at the Coronation. That gorgeous ceremony, though far less gratifying +to the people than those which have subsequently occurred, was lavishly +expensive and splendid; but it was very pernicious in its effects both on +the Royal and the public mind. George IV. acted the farce of deriving his +authority from Heaven with so much complacency that he almost persuaded +himself that it was true, and the people, though hardly the dupes of such +mummery, surrendered their better judgment and more reasonable feelings +of distrust to the glitter of pageantry and show. To disseminate this +disposition for parade the King exhibited himself shortly afterwards in +Ireland, and even in that nation, whose wrongs he was so intent upon +perpetuating, found a gentry and a populace base enough to greet his +arrival with shouts and adulation. So predominant is a childish love of +Princes in all parts of the British dominions. + +It was during his absence on that excursion that Queen Caroline died. +The death of this luckless Princess, the consequence of an accidental +obstruction in her bowels, was rather a relief than loss to all parties +in the State. The King was overjoyed, the Ministers pleased, and perhaps +those hitherto politically and professionally connected with her were, on +reflection, not sorry at the event. Few could have adhered to her Court +without either discredit or disadvantage, and yet none could have held +entirely aloof without incurring the imputation of base servility to the +King and great want of generosity and feeling. To none was the release +greater than to Mr. Canning. It did not entirely efface the resentment of +the King against those who had espoused her cause, or those, including +the Ministers, whom he thought had by mismanagement given her a triumph; +but it removed the object which perpetually reminded him of his +mortification, as well as all occasions which might revive his wrath. + + +END OF THE MEMOIR + + + + +MISCELLANEOUS RECOLLECTIONS + +A SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER BEGUN IN 1826 + + +In one supplementary chapter to my Memoirs I have endeavoured to +preserve the recollection of such foreign anecdotes and personages as +accident, credible report, or personal observation have brought within +my knowledge. In this, I propose to set down whatever I have learnt +worth commemorating concerning those persons who, whether Englishmen +or foreigners, have during my time, without immediate connection +with politics, acquired or deserved celebrity for genius or talent, +learning or wit, in science, in art, in poetry, in literature, or in +conversation. With some such I have been intimate, with many others +familiarly acquainted. All have, no doubt, had directly or indirectly +more or less influence on the taste, temper, and opinions of society. +The indistinct manner in which it was exerted would not, indeed, justify +the introduction of their names in my narrative of party contentions and +political events; but some traits of their characters and lives may not +be misplaced on the distant ground of the picture I have attempted to +trace. I do not, however, pretend to much accuracy of research, nor do I +aspire to the office of biographer of my contemporaries; still less am I +qualified to become the historian of literature, arts, or sciences. Mine +are notes and reminiscences of an idle, and in some senses ignorant, +spectator. They are rambling, desultory, and imperfect, and often more +calculated to raise than to satisfy curiosity. But they are true; they +relate also to subjects which, having afforded amusement and instruction +to the writer in the course of his life, may possibly prove neither +unpleasing nor uninstructive to some reader of similar habits and taste +after its close. + +Though from my family connections I was during my childhood and early +education in the habit of seeing many of the leading characters in +fashionable and political life, yet I remember meeting but few men of +literary celebrity. The truth is, that at that period they were less +blended in society with men of business and pleasure than they have been +of late years. There was perhaps as much reading, but there was less +conversation about books. If equal homage was paid to authors of genius, +the intercourse between that class of men and fashionable company was +infinitely less than has since been established, to the credit, and I +should hope to the advantage, of both. Of course there were exceptions. +Some few, like Horace Walpole, Gibbon, Soame Jenyns, Sheridan, and +Tickell, had at different epochs of their lives partaken of the character +of both. Some others, who from birth and early habits might be deemed to +belong to one class, from taste or choice studiously devoted themselves +to the other. I had from the earliest youth great curiosity about men +remarkable for their literary attainments. My vanity and taste were +always gratified by any intercourse with them, + + Quotque aderant vates rebar adesse Deos. + +Hence I was flattered by occasionally visiting Horace Walpole in London +and at Strawberry Hill, at one or two letters I received from him, and +at the notice he took of me when I met him in houses which he habitually +frequented. His conversation, like his written compositions, displayed +a sprightly mind and a memory stored with anecdotes, historical and +literary, the result of much antiquarian research and the fruit of a +long life spent in the company of statesmen, authors, artists, and +wits. In his person he was slender and prim, in his manners extremely +artificial, in his temper somewhat susceptible about trifles. His +conversation, though much enlivened by fancy and epigram, had great marks +of preparation and study, and even effort. These circumstances made Lord +Ossory observe in some MS. notes that, “Walpole fell far short of his +friend, George Selwyn,” who, let me add, was a friend somewhat unmerciful +on the taste and appearance of Horace Walpole, describing Strawberry Hill +to me as a catacomb, or at best a museum, rather than a habitation, and +the master of it [as] one of the most carefully finished miniatures and +best preserved mummies in the whole collection. + +But whatever were his peculiarities, Walpole’s published and unpublished +works are mines which abound in brilliant, and do not fail in solid, +materials for history and biography. No one employed as I have been in +editing and, as I now am, in imitating his labours,[315] can seriously +wish to disparage one whom he shows himself willing and perhaps unequal +to copy and to emulate. The scandalous chronicle reported him to be son +of a Lord Hervey.[316] In affected humour, laborious application to +trifles, occasional and unprovoked malignity, and whimsical ingenuity +of understanding, he certainly bore some resemblance to that family. He +felt, or pretended to feel, great disgust at the practice adopted by +the bookmaking admirers of Johnson, who scrupled not to commit to print +whatever they heard in private conversation. Hence he would suddenly +purse up his mouth in a pointed but ludicrous manner whenever Boswell +came into the room, and sit as mute as a fish till that angler for +anecdote and repartee had left it. It is more than probable that he +dreaded and disliked Dr. Johnson himself. Whig principles, Republican +affectations, and loose notions of religion, were all likely to invite +an attack; and I much suspect that Walpole practised some artifice or +resorted to some meanness to elude the notice or disarm the hostility +of that formidable enemy of fashionable philosophy. In conversation and +private correspondence, as well as in his posthumous works, he was by no +means sparing of sneers and sarcasms on the priesthood and the Church. +I well remember that, on the publication of _The Microcosm_,[317] Lady +Ossory enclosed to me a letter she had received from Horace Walpole, +in which he humorously but earnestly exploded a prevalent notion that +the juvenile authors were assisted by the masters. Walpole urged the +incapacity, ignorance, and sycophancy of the tutors and parsons in terms +highly offensive to clerical ears. I, in truth, did not understand the +force of many of his allusions; but, vain of possessing the handwriting +of an eminent wit, ran to communicate the panegyric of my schoolfellows +to my tutor, Dr. Langford. He, though “Etonian to the backbone,” was far +from relishing such a compliment to the scholars, but, nettled at the +irreverence or truth of the remarks, made me feel that I had not risen in +his favour by becoming the depositary of so heterodox a document. + +Walpole’s conjectures were not, however, unfounded, nor his sarcasms +unmerited. The fellows, masters, and tutors were in my time, a period of +nearly ten years, singularly deficient in common sense and experience, +and by no means distinguished even in that narrow path of learning +which they are expected most earnestly to pursue. Dr. Goodall[318] was +perhaps an exception to the last clause of this censure. He was a showy +scholar and quick man, but with as little usage of the world or solidity +of judgment as his colleagues. I was diverted, when I met him at our +Ambassador’s many years afterwards, at the good-humoured simplicity +with which he acknowledged what had delighted him most in Parisian +society. It was, forsooth, the precedence given to the Nuncio, the red +stockings, imposing dress, and dignified carriage of an ecclesiastic, +who from perhaps a pedagogue like himself had risen to be a diplomat +and a Cardinal, and walked before nobles, generals, and Princes. Dr. +Roberts,[319] the Provost, who for a short time had been tutor to Mr. +Fox, was something more of a literary character. He had published a +volume of verses, and was supposed to have assisted Dr. Glynn[320] (an +abler man than himself) in his Seatonian Prize on the Day of Judgment, +which is a poetical composition of unquestionable merit and full of happy +imitations both of Milton and of Virgil. I suspect, however, that Dr. +Roberts is now better remembered in “Colleges and Halls” for a speech to +the King, highly characteristic of his profession, than for the truth or +taste of his poetry. In thanking His Majesty for his Provostship, he +added, “And I am the more sensible of the favour conferred, Sir, as it is +tenable with any other preferment.” + +Among the fellows was a Dr. Barford,[321] who passed for a great scholar. +I could never discover on what his reputation was founded, except a Greek +translation of Gray’s _Elegy_. The boys affirmed that he could read a +newspaper off-hand into classical Greek, a common hyperbole to express a +scholar’s familiarity with that language. George Selwyn used the same to +me of his Master, Dr. George: he added that he knew the Greek for every +English word except _Mutton cabobbed_, that he had taught his wife also +many words, but that he reproved her for using them ungrammatically, as, +when in playing whist she said, “I lead ὁ βασιλέυς,” he would turn up his +eyes and earnestly exclaim, “τὸν βασιλέα, τὸν βασιλέα, my dear.”[322] I +know not why I repeat so silly a story, especially as I cannot vouch for +its truth. I might, however, have asked the lady herself, for I remember +seeing her at Mrs. Hewitt’s (who was, I think, her granddaughter) at the +age of one hundred and one—the oldest person I ever met in company. Of +this same Dr. George, it is related, that on hearing the King of Prussia, +then a young military hero, extolled for his abilities, he observed, “I +should like to have him up in my school to a verb in μί.” + +Similar notions of excellence might be brought home to the pedants and +masters of my own time. My schoolfellows, however, aspired even during +their education to a better kind of literary fame, and not without +success. _The Microcosm_ was published while I was at Eton. I was myself +too young, idle, and ignorant to contribute to the work. The four chief +conductors were John or Joseph Smith, usually called by a nickname +Easley; Robert Percy Smith, yet more generally designated by his nickname +Bobus—both collegers, but unconnected by blood—and George Canning and +John Hookham Frere—Oppidans. Among the occasional contributors were Lord +Henry Spencer,[323] who, notwithstanding his constitutional shyness and +reserve, would have distinguished himself by his wit and ingenuity, +but died at the early age of twenty-four when employed on a mission to +Berlin; and Mr. Mellish, who passed an adventurous life chiefly abroad, +and translated many German works for the booksellers in London. + +The elder Smith, surnamed Easley, was nephew of Sir Nathaniel Grove, the +Puisne Judge, and, through the interest of his uncle or of Mr. Canning, +obtained some places in the Courts of Justice and the Colonies, in which +he silently enjoyed the profits, without offence, but without rising or +aspiring to any eminence in his profession or in literature.[324] His +numbers, in which there was rather an ostentatious display of learning +and a dash of unintelligible metaphysics, were great favourites with the +schoolboys. They passed with us for prodigies of learning and profound +speculation. Boys generally form a very correct prognostic of the temper, +disposition, and courage, and a very erroneous one of the prudence, +sense, and abilities of their schoolfellows. + +Of Robert Percy Smith,[325] elder brother of Sydney; married to my +aunt, Miss Vernon; first, Advocate-General of Calcutta, and afterwards, +representative for Lincoln in two successive Parliaments, I shall +probably speak more than once in the course of these pages: but, having +mentioned him as an Eton boy, I cannot withhold my testimony to his +early proficiency and extraordinary promise. He was clearly the soundest +scholar of his day; he had not only by his own unaided exertions +mastered the Italian language and literature, but had already read and +reflected on as many and as profound works, both ancient and modern, +on ethics, politics, and divinity, as would have enabled an ordinary +student in either of our Universities to set up for an accomplished +metaphysician. Yet nature had done more for him than study. He was a +descendant of a sister of Sir Isaac Newton, and his powers of application +and reasoning, though never directed to science, seemed to claim and +justify the relationship. He had, too, a wonderful command of language. +If he seldom displayed his pleasantry and imagination, enough escaped +him to satisfy even a superficial observer that he had in store, though +he perhaps disdained to use it, as much of both of those commodities as +glittered in the conversation of his brother and attracted the applause +of fashionable society in London. Perhaps the strict discipline to which +Robert Smith had inured his mind even at Eton perverted rather than +directed, encumbered rather than enriched it. Notions not very friendly +to our species and crudely adopted from books when a boy, though quite +foreign from his natural character, which was sanguine and gay as well +as ambitious, checked him in the career of his profession, aggravated +many little unavoidable but not insuperable disappointments, dimmed the +brilliancy of his spirits, and though they could not extinguish the +native warmth of his heart, confined its influence to too small a circle, +and gave up, not to party, but to the parlour and the fireside, what was +meant and admirably formed for mankind. + +The early inclinations of George Canning destined him to another career +than that of letters. His success in it renders it superfluous to say +much of him as a writer or companion, though in both those capacities +he rose far beyond mediocrity. In all, his quick sense of ridicule, +his readiness and exuberance, both in fancy and in expression, were +conspicuous. Perhaps his characteristic excellence when a boy, viz., +prodigious facility of composition, is more necessary in this country +to the success of an orator or a Minister than depth and originality of +thought. He was, indeed, when compared with some of his fellow labourers +in _The Microcosm_, more showy than solid, but it does not follow from +thence that he was for that early age in any degree superficial. His +papers in that work were the most lively, and his verses more easy and +sonorous than those of his associates. His Latin exercises and English +effusions excelled in splendour of diction and brilliancy of wit, rather +than in the expression of passion or truth of poetical feeling. + +[Illustration: _Right Hon. John Hookham Frere_ + +_Sir M. A. Shee Pinx._ + +_Emery Walker Ph. Sc._] + +Considering the station[326] he now occupies and the events that are +passing, it is curious to reflect that his first copy of English verses +(written, as he assured me, before he came to Eton, and consequently ere +he was twelve years of age) was on the Slavery of Greece, and contains a +fervent exhortation and prayer for the liberation of its inhabitants. It +is to be found in the 5th number of _The Microcosm_. + +The least successful in that juvenile work was John Hookham Frere; yet +he had a genius better adapted to letters than any of his coadjutors. +Although indistinct or, at least, inconsistent in his reasoning, he +excelled them all in originality of thought, humour, and expression. His +merits (to use a happy phrase of his own) were of a manufacture less +suited to foreign export than to home consumption. It was therefore +mistaken friendship in Mr. Canning to engage him in diplomacy. His +artless temper, his ill-directed suspicions, his absence, occasional +rudeness, and habitual indolence and singularity, all obviously +disqualified him for that line. Had he been employed in England, his +devotion to his friends, the ardour of his mind, and the stores of his +memory, but, above all, the originality of his humour, would doubtless +have made him a first-rate political writer. Had he yet more fortunately +confined himself to literature, his genius might have raised him to the +character of an original critic and moralist, and perhaps have placed him +on the same form with those poets who have furnished the best models of +excellence in our language. As it was, the very habits which disqualified +him for serious business added a zest to his conversation and gave a +relish to all private intercourse with him in society. You laughed with +him when he was facetious, you smiled at him when he was odd. He had warm +and generous affections, but it was shrewdly observed of him that his +attachments, like those of a cat, were stronger to places than to persons. + +He was the only man ever so enamoured of quarantine, as to linger beyond +his time in a _Lazaretto_, and quit it with reluctance and almost +by compulsion. I have known him detained in a house for more than a +fortnight, by a secret plot with his servant to neglect his orders and +not to drive round the carriage, pack up his things, or announce the +hour of his departure. He has been in his carriage on the eve of a long +journey, and suddenly induced to get out of it in search of a book left +behind in the room, where, finding and beginning to read it, he has +thrown himself into a chair, and insensibly allowed the day to pass, and +almost as imperceptibly postponed his intended departure for a week. The +peculiar character of his humour is not easily described. His repartees +or sayings, when deliberately recounted, do not preserve it. There was +a playful archness in his sarcasms, keen but not offensive. There was a +felicity in his phraseology (though he was not fluent) which, without +exceeding the tone of familiar conversation, displayed a reach of fancy +and strength of feeling delightful and unusual. He was a superstitious +admirer of past times. He loved to sneer at the self-complacency with +which our generation contemplates its real or supposed improvements in +philosophy and the arts of life. When the unproductive state of the +Peninsula was objected to his exaggerated praises of Spain and Portugal, +he replied that “he loved a country where God Almighty kept large +portions of land in his own hands.” + +He had read little or nothing systematically, but he devoured every +book that fell within his reach, and remembered all he met with in such +desultory studies with an accuracy almost miraculous. Such facility of +emotion, combined with a strong propensity to exercise his faculties on +every subject presented to his mind, made him a very indulgent critic. +He not only saw much more in a book than the author ever intended to +convey, but he frequently built systems on foundations created by his own +imagination and in no degree warranted by the work in which he fancied +that he had discovered them. + +What Montesquieu said of Voltaire is true of him, “Tous les livres qu’il +lit, il les fait; après quoi il approuve ou critique ce qu’il a fait.” +Hence he delighted in authors who deal in obscure allusions, whimsical +images, and fanciful theories. Rabelais and Aristophanes were among +his favourites. He was not only capable of tasting the satire, poetry, +and wit of the latter, but he lent most of those qualities to every +indifferent passage of his plays, discerning in every word more than +struck the ear, and ascribing to the whole composition a systematic and +patriotic design which was certainly never professed, and probably never +harboured, by the writer. According to Frere, it was not gaiety, vanity, +or malignity, which induced the great Athenian comic poet to libel the +best man of his country and expose the first tragedian of his time to the +ridicule of the rabble; it was, forsooth, a due sense of the pernicious +effects of a mistaken theory of morals, and a deliberate apprehension of +the consequences of an enervated and effeminate taste in composition. +His scurrility and buffoonery were patriotic endeavours to rescue his +countrymen from the persuasive philosophy of Socrates and the seductive +poetry of Euripides. + +In the interval between school and college I made a tour in Scotland, but +I missed, on that and some subsequent occasions, the advantage of making +acquaintance with the Principal, Robertson, the historian,[327] to whom I +had letters of introduction. In truth, I heard very little conversation +on literature in that northern land of letters, except strictures on +the spirit and criticisms on the details of Dr. Johnson’s _Tour to the +Hebrides_. That work and the poems of Ossian were then comparatively +recent publications. They had not ceased to excite, in a different +manner though nearly to an equal degree, the passions of the _literati_ +in Scotland, where society, though divided on other topics, is and ever +will be singularly tenacious on such as in any way affect their national +character or reputation. Boswell was accused of having sacrificed his +country to his authorship, of having led the English philosopher into +the least attractive regions and least polished society he could find, +with the view of provoking epigrams and extorting sarcasms wherewith +to season his narrative and give a zest to tales otherwise insipid and +uninteresting. It was Henry Erskine,[328] afterwards Lord Advocate, who +termed Boswell “the Bear Leader,” and pretended that on being introduced +to Dr. Johnson in the streets of Edinburgh, he had simply bowed to the +stranger, but turned round to his countryman and slipped half-a-crown +into his hand with thanks for the show. + +In no town in which I ever resided did I see less of men distinguished +for learning and literature than in Oxford during the two years I spent +in that University. Tom Warton[329] was dead before I was entered, and +his place in Trinity College was ill supplied by a gentleman of the name +of Kett,[330] as an epigram very current in those days attests, _viz._, + + The glorious sun of Trinity is set, + And naught shines now but farthing candle Kett. + +Mr. Crowe,[331] the public orator, a fellow of New College, had more +merit. As a Latin scholar he was without a rival, as a poet he was not +despicable. Mr. Rogers has so unfeigned an admiration for his works +that he seldom travels without a copy of them, as well as of Gray, +in his chaise pocket. His verses on the installation of the Duke of +Portland[332] contain an invective against war worthy of Milton himself. +But his Whig, not to say Republican, propensities, which peep forth in +that very poem, were so offensive in Oxford that blemishes in his moral +character were remembered, and perhaps invented, to justify the neglect +he experienced from successive Governments and the little store set by +the University on his productions and lectures. His manners, it must be +acknowledged, as well as his habits, were somewhat coarse and unsocial. + +Dr. Sibthorp,[333] who, I believe, succeeded his father in the Botanical +Chair, and who travelled and died in Greece, had acquired some celebrity +in his humble walk of science. An awkward circumstance was said to +have occurred on his application for the professorship. To qualify, +the candidate must be furnished with testimonials not only of having +studied, but of having actually practised, physic. Dr. Sibthorp had, +indeed, attended the sick, but then there were none alive to attest it; +so that in adducing proof of his having exercised his profession, he was +compelled to raise a strong presumption of his unfitness for it, and to +divulge the mortifying fact that not one of his few patients had survived +his prescriptions. + +Dr. Cyril Jackson,[334] Dean of Christ Church, enjoyed and deserved great +reputation as the head of a college. He had some general knowledge, was +a good scholar, and by some little artifices of manner, as well as by +many real acts of benevolence, contrived to excite in the young men much +respect for the institutions of the University and great notions of his +dignity, abilities, and virtues. He was, in truth, a very honourable, +disinterested, and warm-hearted man. He taught, however, and, I believe, +felt, so indiscriminate a veneration for all received opinions because +they were received, that he became, without meanness, a worshipper of +rank, and, although not destitute of sagacity and utterly exempt from +the mean passions of envy or jealousy, a favourer of mediocrity. The +effect, though not intention, of his system, could it have prevailed, +would have been to leave all prejudices unmolested, and thereby to +slacken exertion and discourage improvement, to inculcate caution on +his pupils till he had damped their genius, and to reduce all political +and literary merit to deference for authority and prudent admiration of +acknowledged excellence. He had been employed under Markham, Archbishop +of York, in the education of the Prince of Wales and Frederick, Duke of +York. That circumstance gave him access to both those Princes throughout +his life: and he affected more than he actually enjoyed, recounting to +his listeners at Oxford, at one time, the blunt reproofs, at others, the +friendly advice he had given to his Royal pupils. From compliance with +George III.’s partiality, or from a genuine preference of manly character +over quickness of parts, he always professed more attachment to the Duke +of York than the Prince of Wales. The latter, aware of his predilections +and nettled at them, took an odd method of revenging himself by +retaliation. In all companies he launched forth in commendation of +William Jackson, younger brother of the Dean.[335] He would extol his +merits as a companion, friend, and scholar, though he well knew him to be +a dull, selfish, and ordinary man; and he studiously represented him as +superior to his brother, though he owed to the celebrity and friendship +of that brother what little credit or reputation he enjoyed at college, +as well as all the preferment, including the Bishopric of Oxford, that he +obtained in the Church. + +Dr. Beddoes[336] had not closed his lectures when I first went to +college, but I never attended them; nor did I become acquainted with the +lecturer till he had retired from the University in consequence of some +disgust arising either from his opinions in politics and religion, or +from the peculiarities of his temper, which was neither conciliatory nor +tractable.[337] He was a man of science and of genius, but by no means +successful as a lecturer. His figure and delivery were ungraceful, his +language inflated and ambitious, and he was so singularly awkward in the +mechanical part of his experiments that they generally failed, and he was +then compelled to proceed in his discourse on the hypothesis that the +result had been the reverse of that which the eyes of his audience would +have led them to believe. He contributed, however, to the advancement +both of chemistry and medicine, and had the merit of discovering the +talents and directing the labours and studies of an indigent youth +who afterwards became Sir Humphry Davy. All his writings, whether on +politics or science, are eloquent and original, but they betray great +want of taste, judgment, and prudence. He was rash and paradoxical in +the extreme. He above once announced discoveries which he was obliged to +retract; and Dr. Ingenhousz[338] (who somewhat enjoyed his discomfiture) +blamed him more for his ignominious candour in abandoning, than his +hasty presumption in publishing, such crude and erroneous conjectures. +As an instance of his bad taste in language and conversation, I remember +that when asked by Lord Lansdown[339] how an election at Bristol was +likely to go, he began his reply with these words, “My Lord, when the +floodgates of the human mind are once opened....” I believe Lord Lansdown +and his audience were not much disposed to await the torrent of eloquence +and metaphysical reasoning which was to ensue. In proof of the wildness +of his theories, suffice it to mention that he seriously maintained the +non-existence of bodily pain. It was the mere effect of education: and +a child properly trained for that purpose would find it a pleasurable +sensation, and what we consider as pleasurable sensations might, by an +opposite system of discipline from that usually practised, be rendered +odious and disagreeable and abhorrent to our desires. He afterwards +undertook the tuition of young men; and the acquirements of his pupils +(of whom Mr. Lambton was one), as well as their attachment to the memory +of their preceptor, do much credit to his head and heart. + +The same commendation may be bestowed on the person next presented to +my recollection, Dr. Parr.[340] Though a Cambridge man, he frequently +visited Oxford, where he lodged at the house of his friend Dr. +Routh,[341] Principal of Magdalen, a quiet, learned, and benevolent +man, a Tory in his principles and a recluse in his habits. Dr. Parr’s +reputation for scholarship and his zeal for Whig politics, together +with the singularity of his countenance, dress, habits, and manners, +rendered him an object of much curiosity and some little dread, both to +the tutors and undergraduates. His visits formed a sort of era in Oxford. +His sayings were repeated, his appearance, his monstrous wig, his velvet +coat, his lisping speech and penetrating eye, his love of smoking, and +affected laugh with his shoulders, were the topics of conversation in all +the Common rooms and wine parties in the University. + +This was precisely what he sought for. It was the sort of celebrity +that delighted him. He panted, indeed, for opportunities of conflict +with the High Churchmen of the place, with the hope of astonishing the +undergraduates by the boldness of his paradoxes, the variety of his +quotations, and the wit of his retorts. But the heads of Houses and +professors were by no means disposed to indulge him in such intellectual +gymnastics. They are seldom inclined to court notoriety, and they +seemed somewhat afraid of Dr. Parr. At Christ Church, our superiors +refrained from courting him with any ostentation of civility, but they +were wonderfully cautious not to offend by any remarks on his maxims +in scholarship, politics, and divinity, though printed in sermons and +pamphlets and circulated very freely in conversation by his admirers in +the University. A distant sneer or an arch inquiry was the utmost symptom +of hostility ever hazarded against this active champion of every cause +they disapproved.[342] + +Among the professors at Oxford there was indeed one who had good cause +for fear, and yet more for resentment, against Dr. Parr, had he had the +ability to gratify it. This was Dr. White,[343] the Arabic Professor. +He had signalised himself a few years before by the publication of his +Bampton lectures, which were hailed by the orthodox as a triumph for +Christianity over Islamism achieved by a member of the Church of England, +and by the Oxonians as a proof of the success with which the Oriental +languages were studied in their University. + +But short-lived was their exaltation. It was soon discovered that a +Nonconformist minister, of the name of Badcock, had, for a stipulated +sum (which, I think, the professor in an evil hour disputed with his +executors), furnished much of the reasoning and of the Arabic of that +vaunted publication. Upon that detection, Dr. Parr, with more eagerness +and less generosity than was usual in him, exclaimed, “I, too, could +pluck a feather from the crest of that Oxford Phœnix”; and he accordingly +made good his claim to several Greek quotations and other admired +passages in the lectures. Thus were the hopes of orthodoxy and Oxford +suddenly blighted, or rather, the harvest they expected to reap cruelly +wrested from them and divided between Nonconformity and Cambridge. Poor +Dr. White, stripped of his borrowed plumes, was hooted at and reviled by +all the satirists and witlings of the day. + + Cui color _albus_ erat, nunc est contrarius _albo_. + +The obvious punning quotation of George Selwyn was repeated by every +schoolboy, and the professor, though he had raised himself from a low +condition in life by learning only, and was, in truth, a good Arabic +scholar, a studious, simple,[344] and inoffensive man, could never +re-establish his credit or advance his fortune. He edited, in vain, some +Oriental works; he acquired no fame and obtained little preferment.[345] + +To return to Dr. Parr, I was introduced to him by Mr. Canning, who had +made his acquaintance at Mr. Sheridan’s or at Crewe Hall. I do not +enlarge on his moral, intellectual, or political virtues, all which were +very great, because the publications devoted to his memory will be full +of them. My task is only to preserve some diverting but harmless foibles +in his manners and conversation, which the dignity of graver biographers +will very probably suppress. + +I should, however, be sorry, were my reader to imagine that I was really +insensible to Dr. Parr’s many excellent qualities of head and heart, his +learning, his eloquence, his political consistency and integrity, his +warm affections, disinterestedness, and generosity. Of the latter virtue +especially, I have known many instances in his conduct to his pupils. +None, however, but such as have seen him in a society of undergraduates, +surrounded by old pupils and young admirers over whom he exercised +unlimited jurisdiction in all matters of taste and learning, can believe +the liberties he took or the absurdities into which his vanity betrayed +him. So little was any interchange of ideas necessary to gratify him +that he launched forth in praise of the extraordinary _erudition_ of his +neighbour at a public dinner on a Gaudy day, who turned out to be neither +more nor less than the beadle of the college, admitted by old usage to a +seat at the table on such solemn occasions, but aspiring to no further +academical attainments than the sweeping[346] the quadrangles, or, at +the utmost, writing down the name of the students for whom the gates +were opened after sunset. He had, however, no doubt earned the panegyric +bestowed upon him, by listening with profound silence and veneration to +the Latin and Greek which Dr. Parr had poured into his ears. The Doctor +enlarged with great complacency on the effect, as well as Latinity, of +his preface to Bellendenus.[347] He had introduced into that work some +severe strictures on the character of Mr. Pitt’s eloquence, and he +observed that his friend Mr. Horner thought it would “turn that Minister +out”; but then he would add, with an appearance of overstrained humility, +“But Horner is a sanguine man.” + +He told us, I well remember, that he suspected Pitt of a settled design +of subverting the idiom of the language, as well as overturning the +constitution. “The dog talks grammar,” he said, “but it is an insidious +masked battery under which he may better assail our idiom.” Then he would +relate how he had sat in the gallery of the House of Commons and thrown +his “whole grammatical mind” upon the orator, a process which he acted +with most significant gestures, and then added, “The dog caught my eye, +and chastised his faulty phraseology.” + +There was a report at that time that our late fellow-collegian, Mr. +Jenkinson (afterwards Lord Liverpool and Prime Minister), had been +entrusted with a mission to the French Princes, who had taken refuge and +were then meditating war against their country at Coblentz. Dr. Parr +inveighed against such an appointment, but we were all somewhat startled +upon discovering that it was not the mission but the choice of the envoy +alone which scandalised him. So young a man, he observed, could not be +equal to it; and although he would himself never serve Billy (for so he +contemptuously termed Mr. Pitt), that Premier would do well to look out +for a clergyman of such habits, sagacity, and scholarship as himself, to +ascertain the views and fathom the designs of those revolted Princes on +the Rhine. + +In speaking of living scholars, metaphysicians, and writers, he would +frequently name those whom he thought the first and the third in each +department of excellence; but he always omitted the second, manifestly +reserving that place for himself, and as manifestly pluming himself on +his modesty in not asserting his right to the first, which he hoped his +auditors would in their hearts assign him. In this scale of excellence +he always placed Mr. Porson[348] at the head of our Greek scholars. +It was just and prudent to do so. The concurrent testimony of all his +contemporaries would have granted to that gentleman the same pre-eminence +that Dr. Parr, perhaps rather reluctantly, assigned him. + +Porson was in scholarship _facile princeps_; in memory he was a prodigy; +in wit and understanding a much more extraordinary man than such +prodigies usually are. Persons intimate with him have assured me that he +not only knew most of the ancient poets and all the Greek tragedians by +heart, but would repeat nearly _verbatim_ the notes of the most approved +editions. He usually did so when any passage was quoted in his presence, +specifying the page, the column, and the place of the respective +editions, where the passage itself and the notes he had repeated were to +be found. His recollection of words was certainly not confined to poetry +or eloquence. He could, and did often, recite long and dull comments in +Greek, Latin, and English, _verbatim_. He knew all the notes of Gibbon +by heart; and when sentences of the text of that historian or of any +of his favourite works (among which Foote’s Farces must be reckoned) +were read or alluded to, he usually finished the paragraph or scene +without omitting a word. He was not, like Napoleon, a great proficient +in mathematics; but he had, like him, a memory as retentive of numbers +as of everything else. He occasionally took an unaccountable pleasure in +repeating large sums, and had a tiresome trick of counting them aloud, +especially after he had drunk much wine, and was disposed by such a test +to prove to himself that his faculties were not sensibly impaired thereby. + +Such peculiarities did not add to his charms as a companion. I never saw +him but twice, and on both occasions in a club, where he was a visitor +and not a member,[349] and where he had little opportunity of display, +except indeed by long quotations from Hickes’ _Thesaurus_ and other +singular rather than agreeable proofs of the extent and accuracy of his +memory. When I asked him to my house he peremptorily declined coming; +on my repeating my invitation, he sent me word that he had “broken his +leg and could not come,” though he was frequently met about the same +time walking in the streets. Perhaps he was affronted at my sending the +invitation by a common friend, instead of calling myself, or perhaps he +was on that, as on other occasions, extremely jealous of being invited as +a show. Such, at least, was the interpretation frequently put by him on +the marks of homage which slight acquaintances, and even strangers, were +naturally disposed to pay to his extraordinary talents and celebrity. + +In recording such misplaced pride and false notions of independence, it +is just to add that in the more important concerns of life his sense of +honour was to the full as susceptible and his spirit as inflexible. He +sacrificed without ostentation great advantages of station and prospects +of fortune to conscience. Having eluded the manœuvres and rejected +the solicitations of those who urged him to qualify for a clerical +fellowship in his college, as well as subsequent preferment by taking +holy orders, he, from the same scruple and dislike of the Thirty-nine +Articles, was willing to forego the favourite object of his ambition, +the Greek Professorship at Cambridge. His sarcastic letter to Dr. +Postlethwaite,[350] on that occasion, establishes beyond dispute both +his disapprobation of those Articles and his conscientious adherence to +truth at the expense of interest and advancement. When one reflects that +he had no private fortune, no rich connections,[351] no expectations +whatever, such inflexibility of principle and self-respect must extort +one’s admiration and applause. His conduct is the more praiseworthy, +as it was dictated neither by the vanity of fanaticism nor the zeal of +making proselytes. What his particular opinions on religion were is not +known; at least, he never took much pains to promulgate them. He speaks +of himself as not a “sound believer” in the Church sense of that word. +Whether he confined his objections to the peculiar creed of the Church of +England, or denied revelation altogether, I have never ascertained. + +While resident at the University, although avowedly not orthodox, he +abstained himself [from], and discountenanced in others, all scoffs at +Christianity. His subsequent habits and intimacies must have familiarised +him with great freedom of conversation on such topics; and it was +generally supposed that he was a sceptic or freethinker. As a scholar +and critic, in which capacities his authority will ever be greatest, his +testimony was manifestly unfavourable to the Trinitarian interpretation +of Scripture. His masterly letters to Archdeacon Travis finally exploded +the verse of St. John—the only text approaching to a direct assertion of +three persons in the Godhead.[352] His conviction that the New Testament +never predicates in positive terms, nor implies by fair inference from +language the existence of the Trinity, seems almost acknowledged in +his writings. It was not, I apprehend, concealed, much less denied, by +him in conversation. The Trinitarians, who are disposed to stigmatise +their Arian and Unitarian adversaries as dishonest and ignorant, must be +prepared to maintain some strong paradoxes with respect to celebrated +men. They must question the sincerity of Lardner, and deny the learning +of Milton, Clarke, Porson, and Wakefield.[353] + +Porson had more particles of pride than vanity, and more principle +than affection, in his composition. But had it not been for the vice +of drunkenness in which he indulged in a manner that degraded him, he +would have been a respectable man in character as well as abilities +and acquirements. He could never have been an amiable one. Yet was he +a friend to liberty, and by no means indifferent to the improvement of +mankind. In that respect he was the reverse of Swift, whom in other +points he resembled and in some little degree rivalled. Swift said he +could love Jack or Jem, but hated and despised the human race. Porson, on +the contrary, had some benevolence for the species, but seemed incapable +of loving Jack, Jem, or any individual. His English verses (fragments +rather than poems) seem, from their extreme exactness in rhyme, rhythm, +and expression, to have cost as much pains as those of Swift himself. +They are to the full as biting and malignant. + +In the two most successful efforts of his muse, _viz._, his verses on the +fellows of Trinity College, and his address to Cambridge on the admission +of the young Duke of Gloucester, there is so much indecency blended with +the satire that, although among the best lampoons in our language, I +shall not venture to insert them.... + +Specimens of his repartees are more common and have more merit; but I am +afraid of repeating things elsewhere preserved and generally known. When +some enthusiastic admirer of the knot of writers called “Lake Poets,” in +extolling Wordsworth, Southey, and the rest _qui pauperes esse volunt +et pauperes sunt_, emphatically predicted that they would be read when +Virgil, Milton, Dryden, and Pope were forgotten, “I agree with you, and +_not till then_,” was the dry and contemptuous answer of Porson. When +pressed, after a tiresome metaphysical disquisition by Dr. Parr, to give +his opinion on the origin of moral and physical evil: “Why, I think,” +said he, “Doctor, we should have done very well without them.” + +There was a project for sending him with Lord Elgin’s[354] Embassy +to Constantinople, in the hope that he might discover, decipher, and +elucidate manuscripts, inscriptions, documents, and other remains of +antiquity. Whether the objections to such an appointment originated +with himself or Lord Elgin, I know not. The latter has been reproached +with it. But it is just to remark that Porson, scholar and wit as +he was, would, from the intemperance of his habits and the perverse +susceptibility of his temper, have been rather a troublesome inmate, +especially in a residence where during the war there was no resource for +society but within the walls of the Embassy. His place was supplied by +Mr. Carlyle[355] and Dr. Hunt. The former translated and published some +very pretty specimens of Arabic poetry; the latter, who was afterwards +chaplain to the Duke of Bedford in Ireland, became a very useful +magistrate in Bedfordshire, without neglecting the studies of antiquity +and _virtu_ in which he had made great proficiency in Greece and Asia +Minor. + +To return to the worthies of Oxford during my residence there. I knew +few of the professors, nor did many of them give the undergraduates +opportunity or inclination to cultivate their acquaintance by the +frequency or excellence of their lectures. Mr. Wooddeson,[356] who +filled the Vinerian Chair, had ceased to deliver the lectures (which he +published) before my time. They have merit and learning, and though not +so complete nor so eloquent as those of his predecessor, Blackstone,[357] +they are certainly less tinged with the peculiar tenets of the place +in which they were delivered than the commentaries of that perspicuous +writer and learned but somewhat obsequious judge. + +Dr. Wenman,[358] the professor of Civil Law, both from his connections +and his subject, was likely to maintain tenets more congenial to the +Metropolis of Toryism. But his lectures attracted so little notice and +made so faint an impression on his auditors that I have forgotten their +character, and believe that I never heard their merits even discussed. + +The Professor of Mathematics was Mr. Robison or Mr. Robinson,[359] +a Scotchman. He had taken his degree, or at least had acquired his +science, at Glasgow; and Mr. Windham, before his hostility to the French +Revolution had weaned him from the practice of irreverent jokes and +excited in him some hopes of representing the University in Parliament, +used to make himself merry at the expense of his Alma Mater, who, finding +such a dearth of science among her own sons, had been compelled to send +to a northern and Presbyterian nursery for a mathematician capable of +filling her own chair.[360] The duties required, however, by the office +were either very light or the northern luminary very scandalously +neglected them. I never heard of his lectures, his pupils, or his +examinations, and I shrewdly suspect he had none. + +Dr. Hornsby,[361] Professor of Astronomy, did give lectures, and they +were not ill-attended. Yet they were such as many a lad in a Scotch or +foreign University, and many an itinerant teacher unmatriculated in any, +could have easily supplied. Those on divinity by Dr. Randolph[362] were +probably distinguished by more talent, and certainly possessed learning +seldom found and perhaps not often sought for out of the walls of a +college. Yet they were no favourites with the public, nor even with +those young men who were destined to Holy Orders. This was owing to the +slovenly delivery, awkward and obscure phraseology, and rude, unpolished +manners of the lecturer. Under that exterior, however, the ungraceful and +ungracious priest, narrow-minded Tory as he was, concealed a kind heart +and a disinterested, compassionate, and generous disposition. He became +first Bishop of Oxford, and afterwards of London, where he died soon +after his elevation to the see. + +In the Medical or Anatomical Chairs there was no professor of superior, +or even equal, eminence. Grosvenor,[363] a very able surgeon, resident +in Oxford, was not, I believe, a member of the University, and certainly +filled no office in it. Sir Christopher, then _Doctor_ Pegge,[364] is +chiefly remarkable for having been the successful competitor of Dr. +Vaughan, afterwards Sir Henry Halford.[365] That more distinguished and +fortunate man thus owed to defeat the advantage of settling in the only +place where practice as extensive as that which he exercised for more +than thirty years could have been obtained. If he did not derive from +his academical studies that physical activity and cheerfulness and those +qualities of sagacity and attractions of manner which were the real +causes of his success in London and at Windsor, he at least brought from +Oxford that taste for pure Latinity and classical composition, which he +loved to display with some degree of self-complacency in the College of +Physicians. + +In the meanwhile the protection of the Dean and tutors of Christ Church, +which had raised Pegge to the Chair, could never render his anatomical +school famous beyond the walls of the University or popular with the +young men within them.[366] There was a whisper among them that his +science was superficial; and even in judging of his diction and delivery, +which I am assured were above mediocrity, they unfairly persisted in +contrasting them with those of his predecessor, Dr. Thompson, a man who +had been expelled the University, but the memory of whose ready eloquence +and extraordinary perspicuity survived the ruin of his moral character +and his consequent retirement in Italy. He died after a residence of a +few years in that country, where his medical attainments so far expiated +his religious and other heresies that the Pope condescended to consult +him, and, if I mistake not, to appoint him Physician-in-Ordinary. He +was a great mineralogist, and left a valuable collection of specimens, +which he directed by his will to be, in the first instance, offered +to Christ Church, and if refused by that college to be transferred +to the University of Glasgow. Christ Church, as he foresaw, declined +the bequest. They could not do otherwise. They could not question by +implication the justice of that expulsion inflicted by the University, to +which their representatives in the _Caput_ had been a party. Glasgow had +no reason and probably no inclination to be so scrupulous. She accepted +cheerfully a donation from a stranger whose conduct had never either +directly or indirectly come under her cognizance. + +Respect or gratitude to John Hunter, who came from the neighbourhood +of Glasgow, may have induced Dr. Thompson to confer such a favour on +that Northern University.[367] Hunter,[368] possibly from reliance on +some partial representation or from the prepossessions of friendship, +but more probably from a zeal for science, which deemed the protection +of its interests and of those capable of promoting it paramount to all +other considerations, had loudly arraigned the justice of the proceedings +against Thompson at Oxford, had strongly dissuaded and lamented his +precipitate retreat, and was, even after that event, hardly prevailed +upon to suppress a pamphlet he had written in his vindication. This +proceeded from that same ardour or intrepidity of mind, which was the +mainspring of John Hunter’s actions throughout life, and the real cause +of his inquiries, discoveries, and celebrity; but which nevertheless +betrayed him occasionally into acts of imprudence and passion, and +subjected him, even in his professional practice, to the imputation +of sacrificing his patients to his theory. His enemies, who were many +and virulent, no doubt took some pains to blacken him; but there is no +denying that his judgment was occasionally clouded by an irascible and +tenacious temper. + +Even on subjects unconnected with his pursuits, and where he had no +right to assume authority, he was apt to be positive, dogmatical, and +angry. If such instances of intemperate behaviour had been confined to +those which arose from his horror, real or affected, of revolutionary +principles, I should not have alluded to them, even though they led +him to exclude well-qualified persons from professional advantages and +scientific Societies where their merits entitled them to admission. Such +prejudices were not only common, but almost universal, during the unhappy +epoch of the French Revolution, with all persons who had attained a +certain station in society. They were the vices of the time, not of the +individual. Every man, especially if not a professed politician, was a +tyrant or an incendiary at his heart, either disposed from feverish alarm +for his property to restrain, imprison, and persecute his neighbour, or +eager from envy, curiosity, or enthusiasm to subvert all established +order and to realise the visionary theory of perfect equality among men. +If any one had a grain of candour or moderation, it became his interest +to conceal it. Consequently those who, like John Hunter, were not opposed +to the Government of the day, appeared zealots and partizans in its +favour, and from real contagion or selfish compliance exhibited all the +symptoms of earnestness and injustice belonging to that character. But +such and other defects in John Hunter were deducible from causes not +connected with the violence of the times. + +Perhaps in his dogmatical spirit, and certainly both in the obscurity +of his style and in his unbounded self-applause and vanity, he betrayed +the infirmities which are often described as the invariable concomitants +of a late education, followed by a sudden elevation to eminence and +distinction. He told me once in so many words that he thought himself a +greater man than Isaac Newton. The superiority he had acquired in his own +branch demanded, he said, a more extraordinary union of qualities than +any proficiency in mathematics or astronomy; and discoveries leading to +a perfect knowledge of the human frame were infinitely more useful to +mankind than any observation of the heavenly bodies could be. + +A childish love of paradox, or an obstinate adherence to an opinion +hastily enounced, made him deny the efficacy of mineral springs. He +contended that an artificial mixture of the same ingredients, or even +the pure element alone heated to the same degree of temperature, would +produce the same effects as Bath waters taken at the spot. Whenever +they failed to do so, it was, he maintained, the fault of imagination. +He assured me, in proof of this opinion, that to one patient in London +(I think his own wife) he had prescribed common hot water, allowing it +to be so, without any success; but that when he had filled Bath bottles +with the same water and pretended that they were received by the coach, +she, after boiling them, derived all the benefit from them that she had +expected from a course of the real waters drunk fresh at the Pump Room. + +He had always a large belief in the influence of the mind over the body, +and recounted many singular instances within his own observation where +physical phenomena were to be traced exclusively to mental weakness or +mental exertion. I know not whether he considered the following incident, +which I had from his own lips, as any confirmation of his theory in +his own person. While engaged in inquiries in Natural History, he kept +a tiger or lion (I forget which) chained to a cage or kennel at the +bottom of the yard. As he was sitting one hot day, as was his custom, +slipshod in his back parlour, with the window door half open before him, +he perceived the fierce animal disencumber his neck of his collar, and, +finding himself unrestrained, prepared to spring over the wall of the +adjoining yard. John Hunter, alarmed at the mischief which might ensue, +and without any consideration of what he was doing, issued from the room, +seized the beast by his neck or mane, and quietly reconducted him to +his place of confinement, where the animal permitted him to refix the +chain without the least symptom of resistance. When this feat was thus +fortunately accomplished, John Hunter returned to the house; but he had +scarcely passed the threshold when the recollection of the danger he had +voluntarily encountered and miraculously escaped suddenly rushed on his +mind, and overpowered him with such terror and amazement that he fell +senseless on the floor, and did not recover for some minutes. He laboured +under a disease particularly alarming to a person subject to such violent +emotions, _viz._, an affection of the heart, which he told me and others +would one day kill him going upstairs or in a passion. The prediction +was, it is said, verified in the latter shape; he expired in the act of +repelling a contradiction which had provoked him.[369] + +Whatever were his foibles and imperfections as a man, a surgeon, and a +writer, his inventive genius and unremitting zeal in the investigation +of anatomical truths rendered his life highly useful to the world, and +promoted the science which tends more directly than any other to mitigate +the sufferings incident to our species. He left several MSS. Many think +that they should have been conveyed to Surgeons’ Hall, together with the +Museum, and were in equity, at least, included in the purchase. The fact +that they have been destroyed has excited some disappointment and more +indignation among men of science, some of whom, however, have insinuated +that the benefit of any discoveries they may have contained has not been +lost to the world, but may be found in the papers and publications of his +brother-in-law and executor, who destroyed them in their original shape +without any acknowledgment to the inventor. + +John Hunter was neither polished in his manner nor refined in his +expression, but from originality of thought and earnestness of mind +he was extremely agreeable in conversation; at least, to me, in whom +he somewhat hastily and very erroneously inferred a turn for studies +congenial to his own, from the very unfeigned homage he perceived me to +pay to his talents and celebrity. His countenance was indeed full of +genius. The observation of Lavater on the engraving from the admirable +portrait of him by Sir Joshua Reynolds, “That man thinks for himself,” +must have occurred to less professed physiognomists in every casual +intercourse with the original. + +I visited Lavater himself[370] in 1791 in Switzerland. He then enjoyed +great celebrity throughout Europe. His fanciful theories, though never +admitted by men of reflection, were yet the subject of some study and +more curiosity, especially among artists. If it was a rash attempt in him +to reduce physiognomy to a science, he had himself some good personal +reasons for inculcating a faith in the impressions produced by the +countenance and figure of a man. His own bespoke no little intelligence +and yet greater benevolence. He was, I believe, an enthusiast in +religion, and probably, in his pretended science, the sincere dupe of +his own ingenuity. However, like other professors of similar sciences, +he delighted in delineating the characters of those whose qualities had +been reported to him by common fame or were actually known to him by +familiar intercourse, rather than of those to whose peculiarities he had +no guide but such as their features furnished him with. He gave, for +instance, a sketch of Mr. Fox, whom he had seen at Berne in 1788; but of +Mr. Windham, who was with him at that time, and who was remarkable for a +characteristic countenance and appearance, he made no delineation. The +fame of Mr. Fox’s eloquence and abilities had reached Lavater, but Mr. +Windham’s celebrity as an orator was, at that time, confined to England, +and the philosopher thought it indiscreet to trust to his visionary +prognostics of disposition and talents, when he had no previous clue +from public notoriety or private information to guide him in his +researches. + +There was, indeed, one celebrated Englishman then resident in the +same country, whose appearance would have baffled him—Mr. Gibbon, the +historian. His friends, with more zeal to gratify public curiosity +than kindness to him, have been at great pains to preserve drawings +and descriptions of his disgusting figure and revolting features. They +are not caricatures. His countenance expressed neither quickness nor +reflection. No man could have surmised from his inanimate yet hideous +face that he possessed such powers of application and such faculties of +wit and reasoning as his works unquestionably display, and as observant +persons might have discovered, though in much fainter lines, in his +conversation. His devotion to letters was the most estimable part of his +character. It gives great interest to his memoirs, which are entertaining +and instructive. As to affections, he seems to have had none. He was more +like what he admired and produced, a large book, than a living member of +society. + +He was affected in his manner and sometimes ludicrously vain. I have +been told that he imagined himself handsome. When somebody, presuming on +that foible, ventured to try the extent of his conceit by telling him +he was like Mr. Fox, whose face, full of kindness and intelligence, had +nothing in common with his but a sallow complexion and dark eyebrows, +Gibbon pettishly replied, “that any likeness to Mr. Fox in understanding +or disposition he should deem an honour, but he could not be flattered +with a supposed, and he hoped a mistaken, resemblance to his person.” +Even in the latter period of his life he occasionally hinted at his +amorous propensities, and invited his friends to banter him on supposed +but impossible debaucheries. More human senses than one must have been +suspended in his favour, to render his enormous and disgusting complaint +imperceptible to his friends and acquaintance. + +His want of principle in politics was obvious enough from the incidents +of his life, but it was an odd act of friendship in Lord Sheffield[371] +to furnish the public with so many proofs of it from his correspondence. +There is an anecdote respecting his acceptance of a seat at the Board of +Trade, which, though rather of a political than literary cast, I will +relate here. Mr. Fox wrote in a presentation copy of the first volume +of the _Roman History_ words to this effect: “This gentleman told me +on the Monday that no good would be done till the heads of Lord North +and his colleagues were laid on the table of the House of Commons, and +on the Saturday the same gentleman accepted a place under Lord North.” +Some years afterwards an execution took place in Mr. Fox’s house. He had +consigned his books to another person; but the creditors contended the +books were his, and the question was tried in the Common Pleas, where +Lord Loughborough, a particular friend of Mr. Gibbon, presided. The +counsel for the creditors argued that the books really belonged to Mr. +Fox, from notes in his handwriting being found in the blank leaves. Some +question arose on the admissibility of the notes as evidence; the Court +seemed inclined to admit them. But when, in the course of the argument, +the book had been handed up to Lord Loughborough, the friend prevailed +over the judge, and he earnestly, if not peremptorily, prevented the +public perusal of them. + +The song on Gibbon’s acceptance of office,[372] which begins: + + King George in a fright + Lest Gibbon should write + The story of Britain’s disgrace, etc. + +was erroneously ascribed by common report to Mr. Fox. It was, I believe, +one among the many effusions of General FitzPatrick, who, if he fell at +all short in bitter, sarcastic humour, equalled in wit and excelled in +taste and refinement, as well as in harmony, the political poet of the +preceding generation, Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. + +Gibbon had lived in some familiarity with the society that surrounded +Mr. Fox, although they were neither sparing of their censures on his +political tergiversation nor very indulgent to his affectations in +writing and conversation. It was he who first introduced Mr. Sheridan to +Mr. Fox, after the former had written _The Rivals_.[373] + +During the two days I had the advantage of passing with Mr. Gibbon at +Lausanne, he dwelt with much complacency on a variety of anecdotes and +_bon mots_ of persons with whom I had been familiar from my childhood. +Many of them I had heard before from others, and most, if not all of +them, I should judge by his studied manner of relating them, adjusting, +as he did most carefully, the rap of his snuff-box and the twist of his +finger and thumb to the point of the jest, he had been in the habit of +frequently repeating. They were, however, diverting, instructive, and +well told. I remember that among them he recited some verses of Mr. Hare. +Full of vivacity, humour, and fancy as was that most ready and brilliant +of all fashionable wits, he seldom committed any specimen of his talents +to paper, either in verse or prose. + +From the variety, therefore, if not the merit, of such a performance, +the rhymes which Gibbon recollected and I afterwards ascertained to be +authentic, may be acceptable to my reader. Mr. Hare, from the want of a +better office, had been destined by his friend and early schoolfellow, +Mr. Fox, during one of his short Ministries, to the mission to Warsaw; +and he thereupon vented his sense of the necessity but disagreeableness +of the appointment, almost extempore, in the following lines: + + Having been born to no land, + ’Tis thought that I must go to Poland; + So having long exhausted all tick, + I soon, alas! must cross the Baltic. + Of all the towns I read of or saw, + I least expected seeing Warsaw: + And now _’tisn’t ten to one_[374] I a’nt sick + Before I ever get to Dantzic. + +With the exception of some very trifling _jeux d’esprit_, the above +are, I believe, the only verses Mr. Hare ever wrote, or at least +acknowledged, after he had left school, where, if I mistake not, he +distinguished himself by an English exercise. + +Having thus incidentally mentioned Mr. Hare, I will endeavour to give +some notion of him here, for his wit and _bon mots_, exquisite and +delightful as they were, were not of a kind that bear repetition, nor +such as the recollection of the events of the day or the state of +parties brings back naturally to one’s mind. He was, indeed, all fire +and fancy. His starting eyes and eager countenance seemed animated, and +his slender frame emaciated, by the vivacity of his genius [and] his +keen sense of ridicule; and the felicity of his language was inspired by +the earnestness with which he felt what he expressed. His knowledge was +confined to scholarship and _belles lettres_; his judgment, except in +matters of taste and language, was not very remarkable; and his temper +was always impetuous, and occasionally fretful. It rarely disfigured his +manners, but it not unfrequently gave such an edge of severity to his +wit, as raised more sympathy for his victim and perhaps more terror than +delight and admiration in his audience. In short, he was occasionally +unmerciful. His vanity, disciplined and chastised by good breeding +and good taste, never exposed him to ridicule; but when mortified it +inflicted, I suspect, some bitter sufferings in private and revenged +itself on some subsequent occasion by pitiless retaliation on those who +had offended him. + +Of his birth and family I knew little. His father, who was, I believe, +an apothecary at Bristol,[375] died insolvent before, or soon after, his +son had left Eton. He consequently entered life almost without property. +He had no connections but such as his merits procured him at school, +at college, and in the world. If, as Horace affirms, the favour and +friendship of distinguished men constitute no slight commendation, no +person in English society ever earned a larger portion of that reward in +a manner more honourable to himself than Mr. Hare. He married, indeed, +early in life, a lady (Miss Hume) with some money but no beauty, and he +was soon separated from her, but on terms which, I believe, even her +friends acknowledged to be handsome and liberal on his part. Indeed, in +all _pecuniary_ transactions he conducted himself, even in the narrowest +circumstances, with great honour and disinterestedness. His figure, +without deformity, was neither robust nor elegant. His face, though full +of animation and exempt from any bad expression, was not prepossessing. +Yet to the honour of female judgment in wit and conversation, more, I +fear, than to the happiness of those to whom he devoted his attentions, +few men were more successful in gallantry with no external advantages. +He dazzled and captivated women of beauty, talent, and condition, by the +brilliancy of his wit, the vivacity of his imagination, and a natural, +unaffected earnestness of manner, in which there was not the slightest +tinge of vulgarity or ill-breeding. But as, with due preservation of the +forms of society, he could be unmerciful to men who had offended him, +so I am afraid that, without departing from the rules of good company, +he was occasionally sarcastic, cutting, and even cruel, to those of the +other sex who had had the imprudence of pleasing him too much. He was, in +truth, from over refinement, too exquisitely sensitive and fastidious not +to tease himself and others with unnecessary reproaches. + +In politics he was a follower and almost a worshipper of Mr. Fox.[376] +He had himself never thought seriously on matters of State or principles +of government, but affection and gratitude attached him to any opinion +or party that his friend adopted. He measured all men’s political merits +and even talents by the degree of devotion they paid to Mr. Fox. He never +attempted to speak in Parliament but once. It was on a point of order, +in which his friend had been attacked. Rage almost choked his utterance, +and, as he used to relate, Mr. Fox, on his sitting down, greeted him +with a remark, more frank and natural than encouraging, “What a fine, +passionate fellow you are!”[377] + +Nevertheless, the part he took in politics was very far from being +indifferent or unuseful to the cause he espoused or the friend he adhered +to. He devoted his wit and conversation to their service. The keenness +with which he, in private, exposed the fallacies and disparaged the +abilities of the adversary, came wonderfully in aid of the public and +more serious exertions of the leader, to inspire his followers with +zeal for his person and with indignation and even contempt for his most +formidable opponents. If many were convinced by Mr. Fox in the House of +Commons that the logic of the Minister was inconclusive and the measures +of Government pernicious, not a few, especially of the young members +of his party, were equally wrought upon at supper at Brookes’, where +several of his early friends, and Mr. Hare in particular, were wont to +descant on the incidents of the debate, to extol their supporters, and +run down their adversaries. How often, heated with the enthusiasm which +conviviality, wit, and a common cause inspire, have we left the room half +persuaded that Mr. Pitt was an empty declaimer, and his speech of that +night beneath criticism or even contempt! + +I record these practices, whether laudable or blameworthy, merely to mark +the difference which a change in the habits of society has insensibly +wrought in political parties. Private dinners, tavern suppers, convivial +meetings, perhaps intemperance itself, constituted a large portion of +the ways and means of public men some thirty or forty years ago. But +our usages have been altered. Social intercourse is no longer confined +to those _qui idem sentiunt de republicâ_. The comparative disuse of +men dinners, improving no doubt the intercourse of private life, has +nevertheless very sensibly impaired the strength and union of party zeal +and connection. + +To return to Gibbon. He was naturally a great object of veneration in +the small town of Lausanne, in which he resided: and he enjoyed the +superiority his celebrity gave him. If he did not positively exact, +he very complacently accepted, from all classes, such homage as is +rarely offered but to Royalty or power. No amusement commenced where +he was expected until he had made his appearance. Poets impatient to +read their works, ladies equally so to display their musical talents, +and all convened to partake of the Swiss collations called _thés_ or +_goûtées_, generally suspended the indulgence of their respective wishes +till the presence and sanction of the great historian allowed them to +begin. I have been assured that if the practice was ever departed from, +the oracles and responses of the idol never failed to betray, although +with becoming gentleness, that he had remarked the omission. Such a +life was more suited to his taste, as well as to his bodily powers, +than either Parliament or the Militia. He dwells, however, with some +complacency on the latter in his memoirs. He manifestly entertained +some pompous notions of the military knowledge he had acquired in the +country quarters of the Hampshire. Indeed, in the MS., chiefly written +in French, he betrayed, according to Lord Sheffield, who showed me the +passage, the same predilection for his warlike achievements. On his first +acquaintance with Lord Sheffield, then Mr. Holroyd, he writes: “Holroyd +est un homme d’esprit, mais un peu suffisant. Il a tous les préjuges +de son état (he was a Dragoon officer) _contre la Milice_.” Some less +partial persons might perhaps have thought that the unfavourable clause +of the judgment, thus pronounced, was perfectly intelligible without +further explanation, but Lord Sheffield himself accounted for it thus. +He was fresh from England when he met Gibbon at Paris. The _Mayor of +Garralt_ had just come out on the London theatre. Lord Sheffield was +full of it. He described Foote in Major Sturgeon, mimicked him in parts +of the character, and repeated all the jokes against train bands and +Militia, with which the dialogue abounds. Gibbon, still in the Hampshire, +grew half angry, inveighed against the licentiousness of the stage, and +seriously maintained that such satires on the national force of a free +country should not be endured. + +It would be hardly just to myself and to my sense of literary merit to +close my true though flippant account of Gibbon’s person, manners, and +character, without bearing the tribute of my admiration, insignificant as +it is, to his immortal work. I have lately (1835) read it for the third +time, with some attention; and, in my judgment, his unwearied search for +historical truth, and his yet more rare and discriminating impartiality +in discerning it, place him in the very first rank of historians. He is +one of the chief ornaments of his age and country. To whatever strictures +his speculative opinions and somewhat indulgent morality may expose him +from the religious and the austere, none can doubt his humanity, question +his sincerity, or deny the justness of his views, without betraying their +own want [of] candour, sincerity, or judgment. + +It is curious that, in the same corps with that great writer and at the +same time, another learned, though less eminent, historian was serving as +a subaltern. This was Mr. Mitford,[378] elder brother of Lord Redesdale, +and author of the _History of Greece_. He, like Gibbon, was somewhat +fatigued with his regimental duties, and consulted him how to dispel his +_ennui_ by any rational pursuit. Gibbon advised him to read, study, and +_write_ history; I believe he suggested Greece as the subject. The first +volume, in point of labour, ingenuity, and critical acumen, does credit +to the advice, and may vie with the works of the adviser himself. But +before the second was published the French Revolution had intervened. +Mitford, though a retired man, was virulent in his politics. His +detestation of the Republicans and reformers of his own day, combining +with a propensity to paradox inherent in his nature, induced him to extol +the tyrants whom the orators and historians of Greece have consigned to +the execration of mankind, and to detract from the acts of heroism and +models of oratory which the world has been taught for ages to regard as +the most signal triumphs of patriotism and genius. + +Among the literary anecdotes related to us at Lausanne by Gibbon, there +were several that proved the superficial information of modern travellers +generally, and of Coxe, of King’s,[379] afterwards known by the nickname +of “Quarto” Coxe, in particular. He had been travelling tutor to Lord +Pembroke, Mr. Whitbread, and others. The exorbitance of his salaries +for such services was a common subject of ridicule in the University +of Cambridge. So much so, that in a puppetshow Punch was introduced +complaining or bragging of the high price he paid for a fashionable +bear-leader. When questioned who he was, he replied, “Who but Cocksh, of +King’s!”—a piece of buffoonery which the reverend object of it was so +ill-advised as to resent, and he solicited the Vice-Chancellor to put it +down by authority. Whatever were his gains as tutor, he was not satisfied +with them. He strove to draw from every journey he made fresh profit, +by transferring each item of information he picked up, from whatever +source derived, into a book of travels. He had as little discrimination +and delicacy in collecting as in retailing his intelligence. An anecdote +which suited his book was as welcome on the authority of a _laquais de +place_, as from that of a Minister of State: and on the other hand he +questioned the latter character, if admitted to his company, with as +little scruple as the former. + +Gibbon was full of stories of his impudence and of proofs of his +inaccuracy. His sins, however, he said, had been visited by a species +of retributive justice, which had injured the sale of his books. No +sooner had his travels in Russia appeared than they had been abridged +and corrected by an abler pen, whose production superseded the original +publication; and his book upon Switzerland had been followed by a French +translation, with the notes of a well-informed Swiss, which was more +convenient to the traveller and more instructive to the student than the +English volumes of Coxe. He lived to an advanced age, and continued to +the last to load our shelves with compositions or compilations of history +and biography; for, being a thoughtless and hospitable man, as well as +an intrepid writer, he was compelled, notwithstanding his Archdeaconry +and some good Church preferment, to adhere to his trade of bookmaking. +In default of judgment he had great experience, some sort of felicity +in the choice of his subject, great industry, or rather importunity, +in procuring materials, though with an utter want of discrimination in +selecting, and yet greater in using or reasoning upon, such facts as he +collected. Of his rapidity in determining on laborious works without +any previous knowledge of the subjects whatever, and of his activity in +begging and purloining documents for his new undertaking, many ludicrous +stories are related; of his slender capacity of using them every reader +must be aware, and the posthumous production which lies on my table, as +I write this in 1829, proves that his judgment did not improve with his +years.[380] + +That his selection from papers and correspondence was as injudicious as +his comment, may be inferred from one fact, that Sir James Mackintosh, +who followed him in his researches through many private correspondences, +seldom found that Coxe and himself marked the same paper or passage in +common for transcription. Yet his labours were not altogether unuseful. +His assiduity in discovering hidden or unheeded papers, and his +indelicacy in applying for the loan or perusal of them, dragged some +valuable documents into light; and the easy access he found to them +directed subsequent and better historians to the sources of intelligence +yet extant in private and family collections. He never lived with +literary men of much note, and his society during his latter years was +for the most part within [the] close of Salisbury, of which cathedral he +was a Prebendary. + +He had seen, however, during his residence, two Bishops, who in different +ways were eminent for their scholarship. I mean Dr. Douglas[381] and +Dr. Burgess.[382] The last is a mere bookworm; but though a bad critic, +he is a laborious and learned man. He is more active in, what they call +at college, sporting paradoxes than ingenious in maintaining them. But +though singularly tenacious of his opinions, he formed them himself. +Narrow as they are, they are his own, and adopted without any suggestion +of others, or, I believe, any view of power or profit. He is chiefly +remarkable, although little remarked, for publishing a larger number of +dull polemical pamphlets in favour of exploded opinions in criticism, +politics, and religion than any person of his cloth, and certainly +than any or all the Bishops of the Bench. It is fair to add that, if +not candid, he is temperate in argument and quite exempt from that +irritability which such controversies usually either denote or create. + +Dr. Douglas, who was not his immediate predecessor, was a very different +and very superior man. He had been private secretary to Pulteney, Lord +Bath. His detection of Lauder’s forgeries against Milton is well known. +I speak from my own experience when I mention him as liberal in his +dealings, and from particular as well as general report when I represent +him as amiable, agreeable, and simple, though somewhat irascible in his +disposition. His learning was considerable, and he combined with it the +taste of a poet and the acumen of a critic. Though in principle and +connection rather a Tory than a Whig, he obtained the good opinion of +Mr. Fox, who felt for his judgment in literary matters something nearly +approaching to admiration. Indeed, his estimation in the club where Mr. +Fox occasionally met him, in the company of Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke, +Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Sir William Scott,[383] would raise a fair +presumption that he was no ordinary man, even if the direct testimony of +his writings and of his son (a person himself of strong understanding) +did not abundantly justify my favourable report. + +Before I became a member of that celebrated club, he, as well as the yet +greater luminaries of it, were no more.[384] But as I had two uncles Mr. +Fox and Lord Ossory, who generally attended, and as I was well acquainted +in my childhood with Sir Joshua Reynolds, who never missed a meeting, I +was familiar with the style and character of the society which composed +it from the earliest period of my life. The origin of the institution +may be collected from Boswell; Johnson was its founder, object, and +oracle. Even now, though dignified by some with a more aspiring title, +the members less ostentatiously and more correctly term it “Johnson’s +Club.” He attended long as the living idol, and when he was no more it +continued to be the favourite shrine at which his worshippers offered, +in the shape of anecdotes and quotations, their incense to his memory. +In such rites Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Windham, and Sir William Scott +successively officiated as High Priests, and the conversation of the two +last, in addition to other attractions, derived no little lustre in that +place from the knowledge of their early study and admiration of him. Sir +Joshua, equally a worshipper, had been long distinguished in one branch +of excellence peculiarly and exclusively his own. Being, too, one of +the earliest, if not of the original, members of the club, he seemed to +depend less on the respect cherished for Johnson than on his own merits +as an artist and philosopher. + +He was surely the greatest painter England ever produced. Even in his +blemishes there was thought, grace, and genius. His pictures, if duly +studied, elucidate the great truth which his conversation and writings so +earnestly and pleasantly inculcated, namely, that, to attain excellence +in the arts of imitation, intellect and fancy as well as observation and +diligence, are requisite. Though neither fluent nor grammatically correct +in his familiar language, he had acquired a habit from his intimacy +with Johnson and Burke that reminded one of the reported conversations +of those two extraordinary men, and proved that he was one of their +school. This consisted in a perpetual and often successful endeavour to +draw some general inference from casual facts or remarks mentioned in +conversation. He would account for them by some moral maxim or make them +subservient to the proof of some principle. He had not only caught this +manner of philosophising, but had studiously imitated it, partly for his +instruction and partly for his diversion. + +I remember he repeated to me and my sister, in a journey we made +with him from Bedfordshire to London, a composition of his own in a +supposed dialogue between Johnson and Boswell. The affected simplicity +and deference and the real sycophancy of the disciple, as well as the +ponderous humour, contemptuous tone, and sterling good sense of the +Master, mingled with playful rudeness, were throughout very happily +preserved. The topic was the intellectual powers of Garrick. Johnson was +made, according to his custom, to disparage them, and yet more those of +his injudicious admirer, Boswell, most unmercifully. It ended, I think, +nearly thus: + +_B._ “Surely, Sir, he is a great man?” + +_J._ “No, Sir. He is _not_ a great man. Garrick, a great man indeed! Let +us have no more of such stuff.” + +_B._ “You will allow him, at least, to be great in one line—a great +actor?” + +_J._ “Aye, Sir, but what of that? There are many things great. There are +great merchants, great sportsmen, great brewers, great grocers, great +actors, and great fools; Davy Garrick for aught I know or care is the +last but one, and you, Bozzy (laughing immoderately), may be the last if +you like it.” + +This propensity in Johnson to detract from the merits of Garrick, to +deride and scoff at his profession, and to expose without mercy the +infirmities of his character, was well known, and has often been adduced +as proofs of his envy, malignity, and ingratitude, by the friends of +that lively man and inimitable actor. For Johnson, as they urged, was +Garrick’s hero. + + Judge, O ye Gods, how dearly Garrick loved him; + +and thence they drew an inference that Johnson was a brute to stab him +with such merciless severity. John Kemble, however, who never loved +Garrick, and suspected him, on very slight grounds, of having been +jealous of Mrs. Siddons, pretended that he had frequently insulted his +old master and friend by a studious and pompous display of his wealth. + +As an instance of this purse-proud insolence and assumed superiority, he +related that when Johnson complimented Garrick upon his tea, and owned +that he envied his success in nothing more sensibly than in being able to +purchase so exquisite a beverage, Garrick not only smiled complacently, +but added that the tea so admired was by no means the best he had; he +possessed some far more refined, but he reserved it for his fashionable +guests (naming Sir John this or Lord that). This affectation of +superiority Johnson resented so highly, that he wrote the two hundredth +Number of the _Rambler_ the very next day, and he stigmatised therein +the folly and insolence of men suddenly enriched, under the character of +Prospero, with signal severity, introducing the anecdote of the tea to +make the popular player feel that the portrait was intended for him. + +Sir Joshua’s _Dialogue_ seems to preserve the recollection without +recording the excuse for such a practice in Johnson. It was printed +somewhere about the year 1801 by Lady Thomond.[385] It was always the +fashion to say that the _Discourses_ of Sir Joshua had been corrected and +retouched by Johnson. That great writer died, and the continued beauty of +the _Discourses_ confuted the supposition. But the public, ever grudging +fame in two lines of excellence at a time, hardily maintained that Burke +assisted Sir Joshua Reynolds, and, to borrow a metaphor from art, draped +the figures of the artist’s rhetoric. + +It is, however, my firm belief that he was less assisted in his writings +than in his pictures. In the mechanical and inferior parts of the latter +he certainly employed very largely Northcote, Marchi, and other scholars +by no means incapable of extending their labours to the more finished +portions of the piece—a fact I would not invidiously record, if it +were not, I fear, equally true that munificence or even friendliness +to such assistants formed no part of his otherwise amiable character. +My opinion that his writings are his own is chiefly founded on his +conversation. That uniformly bespoke an ingenious and sprightly mind, +unwearied in exercising itself in the principles and philosophy of art, +and consequently well stored with the materials of which his _Discourses_ +are composed. It is true that he did not disdain in talk to give a +paradoxical turn to his sound opinions on such subjects. I remember, when +fresh from school, I heard with astonishment this great judge, proficient +in the “beautiful,” declare that Vanbrugh was, in a painter’s eye, the +best of architects, and that Holland, with its dykes and canals, was the +most picturesque country in Europe. This way of enforcing just principles +by phrases seemingly paradoxical was, no doubt, devised to give point and +relish to his conversation, and to invite discussion on his favourite +topics. It answered its purpose. The practice taught him an arch, +playful, and delicate manner of insinuating philosophical tasks. + +When one of his vulgar employers objected to the price of a portrait, +saying, “Seventy guineas is a large sum, Sir Joshua, for three or four +hours’ labour, and you have not spent five on this picture.” “Not five +hours?” (exclaimed he). “Why, I have been nearly all my life about +it!”[386] Even in parrying just criticism on his defects, he would +contrive to inculcate some maxim generally applicable to his art. I saw +his great picture of _The Death of Cardinal Beaufort_[387] on his easel, +and some friends of his availed themselves of the presence of a schoolboy +to convey their criticism, by setting me on to ask why he had not shown +us King Henry VI.’s face, which is covered by his arm raised to bless the +expiring Prelate. He perceived the drift of the question, which I who put +it was not aware of, and archly replied, “Aye, now, I’m glad you asked +that question, for I shall teach something about art. That very omission +which surprises you, the want of the King’s face, is a great part of my +skill. Had it been there, you would have looked at him instead of the +Cardinal, to whom it was my business to direct your eye. The contrivance +how to hide Henry’s face cost me, I can tell you, more trouble and +thought than half the picture besides and than the painting twenty such +kings would have done.” My prompters were probably not quite satisfied +that indolence had no share in the determination, but they laughed at +the promptitude with which he detected and answered the censure, and +they must have felt the truth of the general principle involved in his +ingenious defence. + +In that picture is a figure on which Mr. Fox loved to descant whenever +he praised Sir Joshua. “None,” he said, “but a man of genius could have +conceived, and none but one of consummate skill could have executed, +such a design.” It is an inferior attendant looking through the door, +whose countenance, on observing the agonies of the Cardinal, expresses +forcibly, but almost ludicrously, his persuasion that all is not as it +should be, and that, if the truth were known, it is a very bad piece of +business. What more natural? What better contrived to tell the story? +If the sentiment is somewhat more comic than one should expect on so +terrible an occasion, the inferior character, as well as position, of the +person expressing it prevents its impairing in the slightest degree the +horror and sublimity of the remorse in the principal figure. + +The prosperity and cheerfulness of Sir Joshua Reynolds have often been +remarked. He was familiar with the great, though no favourite at Court, +for the King[388] was too insensible to genius to admire his works, +and too deficient in knowledge or philosophy to enjoy his society. But +though royal taste patronised other artists, Sir Joshua was honoured +by the multitude and intimate with the men of his day most eminent for +judgment or acquirements in science, literature, politics, law, or +divinity. It was not, therefore, a mere hyperbolical flourish in Mr. +Burke, when eulogising him after the funeral at St. Paul’s, to style +him the pattern of human happiness in temper, profession, fortune, and +fame. It was, on the contrary, natural in the orator, at such an era of +political dissension, to contrast the career of an artist, soothed with +the breath of flattery and wafted along by rank, fortune, fashion, and +talent to prosperity and fame, even to the close of the scene, with the +less enviable life of a statesman, too often shattered in its long and +lingering decay by the loss of its branches, and exposed with declining +strength to the assaults of enmity and detraction. + +But such a panegyric, like a good portrait, had on that occasion the +merit of particular resemblance as well as of general truth. Reynolds +was prosperous in his life and cheerful in his temper. It is possible +that he might not be, at all seasons, quite exempt from that jealousy +to which artists are so particularly liable. In mitigation, however, if +not in contradiction, to such insinuations against him, I can myself +bear testimony to his speaking frequently of Gainsborough in terms of +kindness and admiration; of Wilson, whom he is supposed to have disliked +personally, with high commendation; and even of Romney, whom a set of +minor wits were industrious in extolling at his expense, with full +acknowledgment of his peculiar merits, and with ample praise of his +talents as a draughtsman. It is somewhat strange that neither he nor the +connoisseurs of that day, though earnest even to affectation in extolling +the genius of Hogarth, ever spoke of that extraordinary man as a great +colourist. + +It was reserved for the exhibition in Pall Mall about the year 1820[389] +to procure him a reputation, which his arrogant pretensions as a critic +and his unsuccessful attempt at a yet higher order of excellence in +_Sigismonda_[390] lost him for near fifty years. He was for a long +time, though very preposterously, considered as a mere caricaturist, +the first, indeed, and father of that line in England, but of the same +race as Bunbury, or even Sayer and Gillray, who devoted their skill in +that diverting but not difficult branch of art, and furnished our print +shops with political caricatures. Neither they nor Bunbury aspired to the +character of painters. + +The only artist of my time, who could aspire to anything like a +competition with Hogarth, was Goya[391] in Spain. There is spirit and +even genius in his designs, but they are generally extravagant and +sometimes unintelligible. He lacks that inimitable knowledge of human +nature and character, which made Horace Walpole class Hogarth with great +writers of comedy. Goya’s portraits on canvas are said to be extremely +good. In 1809 there existed one at Jadrague, of Don Gaspar Melchior +de Jovellanos,[392] who, in addition to his other attainments, was a +connoisseur in painting, and has inserted many articles in _La Biblioteca +de las bellas artes_ full of interest to the lovers of art or biography. + +I first made acquaintance with that remarkable man, in 1793, at Gijon. +To that town, his native place, he had been sent with some commission, +to an honourable exile, soon after the death of Campomanes. That +Minister, himself an Asturian, had not failed to distinguish the rising +genius of Jovellanos. Both were proficients in political economy, but +it was not in such useful and severe studies alone that Jovellanos +acquired a reputation. Works of criticism, a drama of great merit (the +_Delinquente Honrado_), and a satire entitled _Pan y Toros_, generally +ascribed to him, proved the versatility of his talents, the correctness +of his taste, and the purity of his style. His conversation was equally +delightful—clear, perspicuous, and natural, and though not divested of +playfulness and pleasantry, elevated and instructive. There was too much +benevolence both of countenance and manner to impose any unpleasant +restraint on the company, and yet an unaffected simplicity and a certain +dignity and purity, both in language and sentiment, manifestly the +offspring of an unblemished character and a philosophical mind, gave a +tone of earnestness and propriety to conversation, such as is rarely +preserved in the unrestricted dialogue of a southern society. + +He was, I think, the only person eminent in literature, with whom I +became acquainted in my first journey through Spain in 1793. I might, +indeed, except the Abbé Cavanilles,[393] a botanist and topographical +writer of some fame, who was a _protégé_ of the House of Infantado, a +man of prepossessing manners, and a native of the Kingdom of Valencia, of +which he published a description. + +Lord St. Helens,[394] then Ambassador of Madrid, though of more refined +taste and cultivated mind than was common at that time in the ranks +of English diplomacy, never had his curiosity awakened to Spanish +literature, nor was at the pains to open his house to such writers, +scholars, or artists, as the country would have afforded. In Italy, +however, where I spent the two next years, I frequented many societies +where connoisseurs, scholars, and antiquaries abounded, who + + Sui memores alios fecere merendo; + +and however unpropitious that season of stormy politics was to the growth +or cultivation of letters, I found many in different provinces of art, +science, and literature. + +In art, indeed, there were but few natives of Italy, and, if I except +Canova,[395] not one who had either then or has since that time attained +great celebrity. He was a man of simple, engaging manners, with all +that gentleness which characterises Venetians, and with enough of +the enthusiasm of an artist to give animation to his countenance and +conversation. It would be tedious to enumerate artists, not Italians, +though subsequent success may have implied merit in many of them. +The list would be long. With the exception, however, of Fabre[396]—a +successful pupil of David, but as furious an anti-revolutionary, as +his master was a revolutionary politician, and better known as the +lover, some say the third husband, of Madame D’Albany,[397] than as a +painter—those I was acquainted with were chiefly English students. + +Flaxman,[398] indeed, visited Italy while I was there. I am afraid I +was more struck with the deformity of his person, the sanctity of his +primitive manners, and the visionary turn of his opinions, than with +his works or conversation; but the Italians had more sagacity than his +countrymen, and discerned early the grand originality of his conceptions, +his just ideas of beauty, and the real simplicity of his character. His +sketches and models were studied as works of established excellence +even then at Rome. He was, in truth, as Lord Egremont comically +designated him, a prodigy of deformity and genius. If unequal, from +bodily infirmity, to complete any great _chef d’œuvre_ in sculpture, he +contrived to enlighten his contemporaries and followers, and did more +by his example and his drawings to improve art than any Englishman, Sir +Joshua, in the sister branch, always excepted. + +Natural philosophy, however, was the passion of the day, and geology, +chemistry, and electricity the fashionable topics of conversation. I +was myself far too ignorant to judge of the professors or proficients +in such studies: I never saw Spallanzani,[399] nor was I acquainted +with Galvani,[400] whom I have met at Bologna. But of Fontana,[401] +whose contemporary reputation was greater than the works he has left +will maintain, I can speak from personal intercourse amounting almost to +intimacy. + +He was as remarkable for the boldness of his opinions as for the energy, +eloquence, and ingenuity, with which he defended them. There had long +existed in Tuscany a school of very free, not to say irreligious, +philosophy. Cocchi was, if not the founder, a leading disciple in it. +He had co-operated with the Grand Duke Leopold in suppressing both +Jesuits and Inquisition, and in reducing the number, power, and wealth +of the monastic institutions. Fontana, who, when young, had frequented +Baron Holbach’s society in Paris, was a professed materialist after +the system of Helvetius. He naturally assumed the ascendancy among +the free-thinkers of Florence, and, no doubt, more covertly favoured +the political principles which Condorcet and other Frenchmen of the +_Encyclopédie_ had adopted. He was positive, vehement, and dogmatic, but +far from unpleasant, in conversation; more remarkable, I suspect, for the +natural vigour of his understanding than for the extent or accuracy of +his knowledge in science or literature, over the whole range of which he +somewhat presumptuously was wont to assert his dominion. He was well with +the Grand Duke and his Minister, Manfredini. It was generally whispered +in Florence, always the _città maldicente_ that Dante describes, that +he made an ungenerous use of his influence, that he checked rather than +promoted the reward of others, and that he did not scruple to appropriate +to himself their labours and discoveries. + +Thus the anatomical man, composed of many thousand pieces of wood +accurately representing parts of the human body in wood, was said to +be the work of Fabroni,[402] the Sub-Director; although Fontana, the +Director, was in the habit of exhibiting, explaining, and extolling it +as his own. He had patronised Fabroni when very young, and introduced +him into the institution from the stage, where he was, if not actually +a dancer, connected with the ballet. But when the proficiency of the +disciple attracted notice, the master was suspected of repressing him, +from jealousy of attainments which were more than equal to his own; +though in natural understanding, as well as Court favour, Fontana +unquestionably maintained his superiority. + +Fabroni was a Tuscan; Fontana, a native of Reveredo. Manfredini, who came +from the latter place, also might have some prepossession in favour of +Fontana; but his Tuscan origin could not fail to give his rising rival +corresponding advantages in a society so narrowly national as that of +Florence. Fontana had a brother, a monk and a professor at Pavia, where +I saw him. He had the appearance as well as name of a man of genius; +but, suspected of republican principles, he was compelled to remove the +aspersion by publications in the opposite extreme, and to consign his +character to posterity as the strenuous and even acrimonious advocate of +systems religious, moral, and political, which he loathed and abhorred. +Hard is the lot of genius under arbitrary governments. Accordingly, the +faculties best suited to the improvement of mankind are more desirous, on +such soils, to withdraw than to force themselves into notice. + +Parini,[403] the first poet and one of the most amiable men of that +period, I never met. Monti[404] had not yet acquired such celebrity as +was likely to attract a young traveller. The only literary man, within +the Austrian dominions, whom I visited in 1795, was the Spanish ex-Jesuit +Andrès,[405] more distinguished for laborious and impartial compilation +than for critical acumen or original thought. He lived unmolested, but +little known, in Mantua, and preferred publishing his works in Italian, +though the subjects of which they treat and the good taste they inculcate +would have been more useful and more novel to Spanish readers than to +those who were familiar with Tiraboschi.[406] + +There were, no doubt, many more men of letters in Venice and its +dependencies, but I had not the advantage of knowing any but +Cesarotti.[407] He was in appearance a grave, heavy, old-fashioned +professor, and his large tye wig resembled that which, in ridicule +of his translation of Homer, a caricaturist had placed on the bust of +that poet. Cesarotti had, indeed, the audacity to paraphrase and alter +the _Iliad_ and _Odyssey_! There was less presumption and more success +in bestowing some Italian graces on the _Ossian_ of Macpherson. He +reconciled many southern readers, and among them Napoleon Bonaparte +himself, to the equivocal bard of the north. + +It was in 1796 that the English public, saturated with political +disquisition and party invectives, were recalled to a sense of the +sweets of literature and poetry, and especially to a taste for the +Italian writers, by the publication of a book, whose merit, after all, +is scarcely equal to its success, and whose success is mainly to be +attributed to the fortunate period of its appearance. This was _The Life +[of] Lorenzo of Medici_, by Mr. Roscoe,[408] an attorney and afterwards +merchant and banker at Liverpool. After the horrors and wars, _plus quam +civilia_, which revolutionary fanaticism in France, and the real or +affected dread of it elsewhere, had diffused pretty generally throughout +Europe, a languor succeeded; a strong desire for such enjoyments, as the +calmer pursuits of poetry and criticism afford, bespoke a favourable +reception for Mr. Roscoe’s book, which was more easy and spirited in +those parts which related to the revival of arts and literature, than in +such as professed but failed to explain the changes and institutions of +Florence under the Medici. + +There was something _piquant_ (to use a French term) in the appearance of +a history of Florence written at Liverpool. Mr. Roscoe was a man of no +great scope of genius. Yet when the nature and extent of his attainments +is contrasted with his slender means of acquiring them, he becomes a sort +of prodigy. He was the lad or waiter at a coffee house, and even that +humble occupation had been a step from his original condition, for when +a boy he was accustomed to bring potatoes with his father to market. +His assiduity, cleanliness, and honesty recommended him, and some of +the guests articled him as a clerk to a thriving solicitor. His passion +for letters was inextinguishable and his application unwearied. It was +accidentally directed to Italian; and a friend (the Rev. Dr. Clarke, I +think) being settled for some years in Tuscany, he collected through him +various materials and dedicated himself to the composition of a work +which immediately placed him on the line of the most successful authors +of the day. + +Lord Orford,[409] who had hailed Robertson and Gibbon, but not, I think, +Hume, on the first appearance of their works, lived to offer similar +incense in particles of epigrammatic antithesis to the biographer +of Lorenzo de Medici. Mr. Fox, overlooking a style which he could +not approve, through his delight at passages of Italian poetry not +inelegantly rendered in the course of the work, greeted the publication +and the author with encouragement. To the praise of Mr. Roscoe be it +said, that neither this burst into sudden blaze nor his subsequent +success in public life ever turned his head or disfigured the simplicity +of his manners. He spoke in Parliament with judgment and effect, but in +a short time, upon elections and other occurrences, there appeared some +unequivocal symptoms of that indecision which disqualifies a man from +public life more irretrievably than vulgarity or affectation or even than +ignorance and incapacity. He confined himself afterwards to his literary +pursuits, and to establishing a taste for arts in his native town not +unworthy of his celebrated Florence; and Liverpool bids fair to give to +its architecture, public works, amusements, and society, a refinement not +usual in communities so rapidly enriched by commercial enterprise alone. + +In this task Dr. Currie,[410] the physician and the biographer of +Burns, was his most active coadjutor. He had a stronger understanding, +but less correct taste, than his friend. In his own profession he was +distinguished for a new, bold, and successful application of cold water +in certain stages of fever; and on matters of politics, science, and +philosophy he had acquired great provincial authority. Some popular +letters on the effect of the war upon trade, printed with the name of +Jaspar Wilson, were with justice attributed to him, and added not a +little to his reputation. + +Roscoe, after shrinking from a contested election at Liverpool during +the No-Popery cry, engaged in trade and was unfortunate. A body of his +literary friends, led by Dr. Shepherd,[411] handsomely relieved him from +many of the consequences, and alleviated the chagrin at his failure. +Mr. Coke, of Norfolk, with much delicacy and generosity, employed him +in classing his MSS. at Holkham, of which the curious library of Justus +Lipsius forms a part. Roscoe, broken by misfortunes and somewhat impaired +by age, did not show all the discernment expected from him; but he had +the merit of being the first guest at Holkham who drew the attention of +his host and directed his own to those philological treasures. Many men +of learning and taste had been in the habit of visiting Mr. Coke; but +all (according to Mr. Roger Wilbraham’s malicious remark), including Dr. +Parr, most delicately and politely caught the spirit of the place, and +preferred the pleasures of the field and of the table to the intellectual +labours of classical research. Roscoe and the literary society in +Liverpool were not singular in their profession of liberal principles +in politics and religion; almost all provincial _literati_ at the close +of the seventeenth century (Whitaker and some clergymen excepted) +were averse to the war and the system with which it was studiously +interwoven. They were, accordingly, more or less stigmatised as visionary +speculatists or disaffected Jacobins. The rebound from this contumely and +repression was sensibly felt afterwards. It contributed with other causes +to the successive and alternate reforms which have ensued. + +Perhaps the insensibility to all intellectual merit which pervaded the +Court of George III., and the yet more unaccountable indifference to +the progress of literature of a man so capable of relishing and judging +of genius as Mr. Pitt, estranged the whole republic of letters from +their politics. Possibly the selection of “_savans_” in France for the +direction of human affairs (no very successful experiment, it must +be acknowledged) engaged the ardent spirits of the time in the cause +of democracy. In aid of such propensities, a passion, or at least a +curiosity, for German literature suddenly seized the reading part of the +community. Young authors educated in Germany gratified this appetite +for foreign novelties by plays, novels, and poems, translated from the +German originals. Whatever might be their motives, they were practically +labourers in the same vineyard. The fruits of their studies had all +a tang or smack of philosophy very opposite to that which it was the +endeavour of our Government, as well [as] of our Church, to disseminate. + +Among these, my college friend, Mr. M. G. Lewis,[412] commonly known by +the name of his first novel, _The Monk_, deserves to be recorded; for, +though a Member of Parliament, he supported the Minister and the French +war. He inculcated in his writings opinions which led to a directly +opposite conclusion. He had a clear and even a strong understanding, +imagination amounting almost to genius, and indefatigable industry. As +a poet he was endowed with an excellent ear and a command of elegant +language. But his mind was vitiated with a mystical, though irreligious, +philosophy; his taste in reading, writing, and thinking, corrupted +by paradox; and his conversation disfigured by captious perverseness +in controversy or sickly affectation in sentiment. His efforts at +pleasantry, which were continual, were very unsuccessful. He had no +talent for humour. He was sincere, affectionate, and generous; but his +vanity was inordinate and more troublesome than diverting. + +As he advanced in life he grew exceedingly tedious, especially upon all +that related to himself; so that contrary to the usual course of things, +the peculiarities and egotism which had been in some degree pardoned to +his genius and youth, _when poor_ became quite intolerable, and were, in +fact, not tolerated in society when he succeeded to a large property in +Jamaica. He went thither, and was nearly as prolix in his exhortations to +his negroes as in his reports of their condition and treatment. It is but +just to add he very earnestly endeavoured to the best of his judgment to +improve the latter. He died on board ship in his return from his second +visit to Jamaica. His obstinacy and paradox may be said to have brought +him to that untimely end; for he persisted, against the prohibition of +the only medical man in the vessel, to take emetics for sea sickness, +and, weakened as he had been by a previous fever on shore, actually died +of inanition and exhaustion. + +The poetry, plays, and essays of a herd of male and female followers, of +whom Dr. Darwin[413] was the chief, though in character and taste very +different from Lewis’, had a similar tendency to reconcile men’s minds +to approaching changes and to shake the received manner of thinking on +religion and politics. Darwin himself, though a versifier rather than a +poet, was a remarkable man. His medical practice, singular and startling, +was not unsuccessful. His fame in Derbyshire and the adjacent counties +was extensive, and not confined to the ignorant or the credulous. With +an unwieldy person, uncouth manner, and large tongue, his appearance and +conversation captivated strangers, and his more solid qualities attached +a numerous body of friends. He was surrounded by admiring disciples. They +imbibed, together with a taste for minute and curious observation in +physical philosophy, great intrepidity in the search of truth, and not +less zeal in diffusing it. + +In London there had started up, soon after the French Revolution, a yet +more fearless sect, who, mingling the dogmas of materialism with certain +visionary notions of the perfectibility of the human species, assailed +without disguise all the received opinions upon which the duties of +individuals or the institutions of the State had been hitherto founded +or defended. These doctrines were not confined to metaphysical works; +they were purposely and studiously insinuated in novels, plays, and +productions of imagination. + +Mr. Godwin[414] was in some sense the father of that school. If known at +all to posterity, it will in all probability be as the writer of _Caleb +Williams_, not as the author of _Political Justice_, which is already +nearly forgotten. He was himself a strange compound of simplicity and of +design, of talent and of folly. He plotted against the whole frame of +society, but was the easy dupe of his own affections or the professions +of his pupils. After a short season of equivocal celebrity, he sank into +a hacking writer and concealed partner of the booksellers. The good +little books in which our masters and misses were taught the rudiments of +profane and sacred history, under the name of Baldwin, were really the +composition of Godwin, branded as an atheist by those who unwittingly +purchased, recommended, and taught his elementary lessons. Lord Grey (I +write in 1834) has recently, by an act of good-nature, relieved this man +of genius from penury and drudgery, and bestowed on him some small place +under Government. + +The strange and disgusting story of his marriage with Mrs. +Wollstonecraft, together with the adventures and death of that wild but +extraordinary woman, is in print and accessible to all the world. Soon +after her death Godwin consulted Curran[415] about marrying again, and +Curran warned him against making youth and beauty the chief object, and +earnestly exhorted him to select a “_woman with something_.” Curran, on +his return from Ireland some years afterwards, visited his friend, and +found that he had married a widow. “Well, and has she anything?” was his +first question. “Aye, indeed has she!” replied Godwin. “She has eight +children!” + +Holcroft,[416] one of his least successful disciples, though cursed with +the vice of mediocrity which, even in his plays, novels, or travels, a +love of paradox could not animate, has left one book which is a great +exception to such a censure, and of a nature to render all further notice +of him unnecessary. This is his own life—the most curious picture of +self-education in an authentic shape which our language possesses. It +affords abundant proof of the enjoyment which an access of knowledge can +afford to the humblest orders of society, and is a practical exposure of +the error as well as selfishness of that philosophy which would confine +it to the opulent. This Holcroft was one of the reformers singled out +for prosecution and punishment by the proceedings of 1794. He married, +I believe, the widow of Mercier, author of the _Tableau de Paris_, and +their daughter married Mr. Kenney,[417] an author of some interesting +melodramas and lively farces. + +There was at the period of which I am now speaking another knot of yet +younger enthusiasts. They were soon afterwards generally designated by +the name of “the Lake Poets,” because several of them settled in the +romantic districts of Cumberland and Westmoreland. They were, at their +outset, scarcely less extravagant in their principles, and much more +so in their projects, than the materialists of Godwin’s school, though +they had the good-fortune to escape all legal persecution. Southey, the +destined champion of the Church and Poet Laureate of three successive +Sovereigns; Wordsworth, in time the _protégé_ and supporter of Toryism +in the North and the pattern, in the judgment of many, of purity both +in language and thought; Coleridge, the hireling of every illiberal +publication in its turn—were one and all, together with a host of young +comrades and admirers, smitten with visionary notions of impracticable +liberty, busy in translating or imitating the mystic philosophy and +poetry of the Germans, and actually preparing to colonise on the Back +Settlements of America for the purpose of establishing an entire +exemption from all religious restraints or ceremonies, an equal division +of property, and a community of wives. The press, in the meanwhile, +teemed with their productions, all inculcating the wildest maxims of +German metaphysics, and all combating the principles upon which the +institutions of property, as well as the distribution of political power, +are founded in society. They escaped, as I have observed, the Crown +Lawyer’s prosecutions, but they fell under the more appropriate lash of +the ridicule of _The Anti-Jacobin_.[418] The Sapphics of Southey were +parodied in a poem entitled _The Needy Knife-grinder_, and Mr. Frere and +his coadjutors in their happiest vein exposed the sickly sentimentality +and real immorality of the whole school, in a supposed German play, which +combined nearly all their absurdities. + +Mr. Southey[419] was the nephew of Mr. Hill, long chaplain to the factory +at Lisbon, and afterwards rector of Streatham. In one of his visits to +England he found his nephew, scarce twenty years of age, on the eve of +marrying a girl without a halfpenny. To rescue him from such imprudence +his uncle offered to take him through Spain to Portugal for a year, in +the hopes that absence might cool his passion. Southey accepted the +proposal; but, to defeat the real object of it, he secretly married the +very day before he set off on his travels. The tour was not only gratis, +but lucrative to him, for the sale of his lively and flippant account of +it replenished his purse, and he embarked on a career of authorship and +politics which, though desultory and tortuous, has always been directed +to some profitable haven or another. His habits were those of an author +by trade. Stated hours set apart for his various studies. Poetry and +prose, divinity and wit, had each their distinct periods of each day +allotted to them. His handwriting was wonderfully neat, minute, and +legible, and he told me that he saved no inconsiderable sum each year by +this accomplishment, so numerous were his writings. + +His vanity was inoffensive and diverting, and his enthusiasm, real +or affected, about his literary pursuits pleasant and amiable. His +confidence in his own powers was, indeed, preposterous, and his appetite +for flattery, of which his family and friends served him with a constant +and plentiful supply, was inordinate; yet, in spite of research and +ardour, a sprightly imagination, and great raciness and accuracy in his +English, he was not only a credulous and almost silly historian, but +a weak reasoner and tiresome poet, and neither in prose nor in verse +captivated or warmed his reader, though he might occasionally divert +and surprise him. His egotism was excessive. He would fain have been +arrogant; but his scorn and indignation, in spite of himself, assumed the +character of flippancy and impertinence rather than of insolence or pride. + +He was a schoolfellow and friend of Mr. Charles W. Wynne, and that +gentleman procured him some small favour or pension in 1806. The touch +of Treasury gold seems to have entirely altered the character of the +man. From that time forth all his predilections have been for power, +and, in its most odious form, exclusion and monopoly; and, what was yet +more strange, most of his associates have accompanied him in this sudden +and violent apostasy from his early principles. Possibly some little +resentment, mingled with self-interest, deepened the tinge which he and +the other Lake poets received soon after Mr. Perceval’s accession to +power. _The Edinburgh Review_ had censured the peculiarities of Southey’s +and Wordsworth’s school. The sentence of that popular but stern tribunal +of literature was sensibly felt in the sale of the works. Southey openly +lamented that a man like Jeffrey,[420] who, in his self-complacency, +he said, “in physical stature did not reach his shoulder, nor in +intellectual dimensions his ankle,” should yet have it in his power to +kick away the harvest due to his industry and genius. _The Edinburgh +Review_ had, during the first years of its publication, acted up to the +stern maxim adopted for its motto, + + Cum nocens absolvitur judex damnatur. + +But surely it may be doubted whether the mortification and exposure of +sundry pretenders to literary merit does as much service to the republic +of letters as the lavish use of ridicule and invective does mischief, +by deterring many modest but ingenious men from encountering their +strictures.[421] + +That formidable journal first appeared in 1802. The notion of it was +suggested, in a small lodging or flat up four pair of stairs, by Sydney +Smith to Mr. Jeffrey, Lord Webb Seymour, Mr. Horner, Mr. T. Thomson, and, +I think, Mr. John Murray. Sydney proposed, with allusion to the diet of +the country, to assume for their motto, + + Musam meditamur avena,[422] + +“We study the Muses on oatmeal”: a suggestion which he says his Northern +coadjutors vociferously rejected, though no bad specimen of the playful +humour with which he enlivened some one article of every number for +several years. Brougham was not one of the original projectors; Sydney +Smith objected to his admission. His contributions, he said, would be too +long, too many, and too political. Those of Sydney himself, often devoted +to the exposure and ridicule of bad sermons and theological works, were +ignorantly cited by parsons in England as singular proofs of the acrimony +which still distinguished the Kirk of Scotland, and led them to satirise +the writers of an Episcopal Church. Brougham, when admitted, verified one +portion of Sydney’s prediction. He overwhelmed the review with politics; +but few of his fellow-labourers were by that time disposed to lament such +an innovation, and the increasing sale produced by the introduction of +such topics might have reconciled them to the change, had they retained +more scruples about it. + +An article upon Cobbett and the public journals, undertaken some eight or +ten years after the commencement of the _Review_, and against the better +judgment of Mr. Horner, by Mr. Jeffrey, at the suggestion of Brougham, +stamped its character as a political publication irrevocably. Till then +several persons quite unconnected with politics, and some absolutely +adverse to the Whigs, had occasionally contributed papers—Wilberforce, +Walter Scott, Richard Payne Knight,[423] Mr. Bartholomew Frere,[424] +and many others. The number of the contributors, the facility with which +contributions were admitted, and the secrecy often enjoined and generally +observed, led to many false conjectures, and those conjectures to +consequences, literary and political, that had influence on the opinions +and conduct of individuals. + +Cobbett exhibited a proof that demagogues, like Princes, when they act +on bare suspicion, lose their sagacity. He was nettled at the unexpected +exposure of his shameless tergiversation on the article above alluded to; +he accordingly directed all his resentment against Mr. Horner, who was +the only reviewer that had earnestly protested against it.[425] + +Lord Strangford imagined that a severe stricture on his poetry,[426] +written, in truth, by a fellow diplomat of anti-Jacobin and Tory +propensities, was composed or instigated by me; and though assiduous +enough in his correspondence with me while the Grenville Administration +lasted, he scarcely concealed his resentment to me—and to all Whigs, soon +afterwards. A more important personage, Lord Byron himself, was swayed +in his conduct for some time from a misconception that the flippant +review of his first poems, written, in truth, by Mr. Brougham, was the +composition of George Lamb[427] at my instigation, whereas I never saw +the poems, nor did I know of the existence of the author (for I thought +the title extinct) till I read the review and expressed to some of the +reviewers my surprise and regret at the unmerited and bitter severity of +the article.[428] + +Lord Strangford had not been less severely handled, but he had deserved +it by the personal conceit of his egotism and the great infidelity of +his translations. Invention, however, is more pardonable in a poem, and +even a translation, than in an official letter. His verses from the +Portuguese are creditable to his taste and ear, though they represent +Camoëns as unfaithfully as his dispatches the events on the Tagus or the +communications of the Sublime Porte. He has not, perhaps, met with the +success he had reason to expect as an author or an orator. His facility +in composing verse and prose is considerable, and his inferiority as a +speaker, though undeniable, proceeds from no deficiency in utterance, +language, or logic. + +In London his acquaintance has never been much courted, either in +literary or fashionable society, nor his conversation, though not wanting +in knowledge, vivacity, or good breeding, much relished. His father +had been expelled, by a very unusual Act of Parliament, from the Irish +House of Lords, for a corrupt vote in a judicial proceeding. At his +entrance in life, moreover, the disadvantage of that recollection was +aggravated by extreme poverty, and there was nothing to counterbalance +it but distant relationship with the Percies and Lord Egremont. To the +latter, I believe, he was chiefly indebted for his first employment under +Government, and to both, for the education which rendered him capable +of discharging it. Success in his diplomatic career entitles him to a +niche in the political rather than literary monuments of the day; but +as he will not appear in any of my raising in that department to much +advantage, it is fair to observe here that he dedicated the gains of the +profession he embraced, in the first instance, to his mother and sisters, +and showed in that particular a kindness of heart and a liberality of +conduct which I much fear will not easily be inferred from other passages +of his life. + + + + +APPENDIX + + + + +APPENDIX A + +(See p. 10) + + +Lord Strangford,[429] in some _Observations_ on a note in Colonel +Napier’s book, has this year (1828) given a very different version of +the whole story. From a dispassionate consideration of the documents +he produces in his defence, and the account he gives of the whole +transaction, I am inclined to believe that some _unimportant_ particulars +in my relation of them are incorrect. It is clear that his dispatch was +_not_ written in Reddish’s Hotel, but in Bruton Street. It is possible, +and indeed probable, that it was written at Mr. Canning’s request, and +that Mr. Canning urged as a reason, _though in all likelihood_ not as the +only reason, for writing it, that “he preferred the form of one unbroken +dispatch, and that the publication of the whole of Lord Strangford’s +letters as they stood was impossible”;[430] and it is true that the +dispatch so written does not _directly_ assert, as I had imagined that +it did, that Lord Strangford had an audience of the Prince Regent +immediately before his embarkation, and had persuaded him to embark. Lord +Strangford, in his publication of this year, directly and repeatedly +acknowledges that the embarkation of the Prince Regent was not the result +_of his brief visit to Lisbon on the night of November 28, when the Royal +Family were already embarked_.[431] + +Thus far the real state of the facts may be more favourable to Lord +Strangford than my representation of them in the text and the account +I collected of them from the testimony of those whom I have quoted +in the preceding note; but the main point of the charge against Lord +Strangford’s veracity and the authenticity of the dispatch remains +unrefuted. The dispatch was written in London and on December 19, not, +as the date indicates, on board the _Hibernia_ off the Tagus, November +29; and that false date, as well as the promise “to detail further +particulars in a future dispatch,” and the apology for haste at the +end, prove the intention of the writer to deceive the public reader +as to the time and place of the composition. The reasons for writing +such a dispatch and the allegation of those reasons by Mr. Canning may +be correctly noted by Lord Strangford in his _Observations_, but they +do not disprove the facts which I have stated in my text and which +I believe, namely, that Lord Strangford had arrived in London and +written the dispatch afterwards printed in the _Gazette_, before the +official intelligence contained in a dispatch really written on board +the _Hibernia_ by him had come to hand; secondly, that the original +dispatch varied in many points with that written and printed in London; +and thirdly, that Mr. Canning was thunderstruck at discovering such +variations. It is, I think, undeniable that the printed dispatch, without +positively propounding as a fact that Lord Strangford had prevailed on +the Prince Regent to embark, is calculated and apparently intended to +convey that impression to the reader, and it somewhat broadly implies +that it was “in interesting communications with the Court of Lisbon” +after November 27, that he prevailed on His Royal Highness to embark, or +at least confirmed him in his previous intentions to that effect. In the +dispatch Lord Strangford says that “on proceeding to Lisbon on the 27th, +he had immediately most interesting communications with the Court of +Lisbon,” for the particulars of which he refers to some future dispatch: +but adds, “It suffices to mention in this place that the Prince Regent +wisely directed all his apprehensions to a French army, and all his +hopes to an English fleet; that he received the most explicit assurances +from me, etc., etc.; and that I promised, etc., etc.” Nobody would doubt +in reading the above passage that the interesting communications were +immediately after Lord Strangford had proceeded to Lisbon on the 27th, +that the particulars referred to a future dispatch had occurred either +on or after the 27th, and that the expression of the Prince Regent’s +hopes and fears, as well as the explicit assurances of Lord Strangford +and his promises to the Prince Regent, were all made in an audience with +the Prince Regent, or at least with his Ministers, after Lord Strangford +had proceeded to Lisbon, and before the Prince Regent had embarked. The +fact is now acknowledged by Lord Strangford himself that the Royal Family +were already embarked during his brief visit to Lisbon, and that he saw +M. D’Aranjo and the Prince Regent for the first time after his proceeding +thither on board ship. + + + + +APPENDIX B + +THE PRINCE REGENT’S VIEWS ON THE ROMAN CATHOLIC QUESTION + +(See p. 113) + +(_Account of a conversation between Lord Wellesley and Lord Holland on +January 14, 1828._) + + +I had a conversation with Lord Wellesley. In the course of it, after +discussing many topics with his usual vivacity and ability, he was led to +speak of the King’s (George IV.) opinions on the Catholic question. He +expressed not only regret but surprise at his recently avowed hostility +to any further concessions to the Roman Catholics. He maintained that +such language and opinion were in direct contradiction to declarations +formerly made, and at variance with the principles he had repeatedly and +_solemnly_ professed to him. In support of this assertion he alleged the +following facts. + +When he was Secretary of State in 1811 or 1812, and Lord Fitzwilliam +had given notice of a motion on the state of Ireland, he concurred with +his colleagues on the propriety of resisting the motion, but thought it +incumbent on him in doing so to disclaim all opposition to the measure +generally called “Catholic Emancipation,” and even to avow that he +was favourably disposed to a removal of the remaining disabilities. +Conceiving, however, that it would not become him to express an opinion +so much at variance with those professed by his colleagues, without +apprising the Prince Regent of his intentions, he waited on His Royal +Highness, and stated at length his view of the obligation imposed upon +him of avowing his own sentiments on that important question. He even +explained at some length the reasons on which they were grounded, and +the view he had taken of the whole subject. The Prince Regent distinctly, +and even earnestly, approved of his intention; first, as he said, because +it was right for him to deliver his sentiments on such a subject, and +secondly, because he, the Prince Regent, _concurred in the opinion he +intended to express_. + +I interrupted Lord Wellesley, to ask him if he was confident that +he had not confounded an approbation of the manliness of expressing +his opinion with an approbation of the opinion intended to be so +expressed. “Certainly not,” was his Lordship’s reply; “the expression +was distinct—‘_he concurred in my opinion_.’ And he did not stop there; +he called in Lord Liverpool and Mr. Perceval, and repeated to them the +substance of my communication and his approbation, saying that I did +right to state my opinion without reserve, for he thought I was called +upon to do so, and that, moreover, in that opinion he entirely concurred.” + +Lord Wellesley then proceeded to relate a much stranger circumstance. +When, after Lord Wellesley’s retirement from office, Lord Donoughmore +moved to refer the Catholic petitions to a Committee, Lord Wellesley +had again a communication from the Prince Regent. I forget if it was +in writing or by a message, but it was not merely an approbation of +his avowing his opinions, and of the opinions he intended to avow, but +a request, in the shape of a command, to express these opinions, and +to state to the House and the country at large that he was expressing +those of the Prince Regent as well as his own, and _that he had His +Royal commands to inform the House that he, the Regent, concurred in +all he said on the subject_. “These commands,” added Lord Wellesley, +“I took upon me, as I have frequently observed to His Majesty since, +_most implicitly to disobey_”: and he then appealed to me on the +propriety of his own conduct in doing so, on the obvious objections in a +constitutional point of view there would have been in such a declaration, +and on the injurious effects it must have had (considering all that has +since occurred) on the temper of the people of Ireland and His Majesty’s +personal character and honour. + +He had, he said, subsequent to that period remarked some ill-humour to +the Catholics and their supporters, some wavering and tergiversation, and +some inconsistency in the language of his Royal Master on such topics, +but never any decided avowal of hostility to the measure on principle; +and he must, he added, moreover, remark that His Majesty’s manner, +language, and conduct when in Ireland was, even by the admission of Lord +Sidmouth and others opposed to the Catholic claims, most injudicious and +injurious to his honour and his Government, if he was really determined +to resist on principle and in all circumstances any further concession to +his Roman Catholic subjects. He assured me that the Irish Roman Catholics +would not yet believe he had deserted them, that the postponement of the +measure was generally attributed by them to some faction or intrigue in +Court or in Parliament, and not to any hostility in the King’s mind; that +he was, in truth, still popular with that class of his subjects, from a +persuasion that he was secretly friendly to their admission, and that, on +the other hand, he was far from enjoying the confidence of their enemies, +and was, in truth, an object of suspicion, if not of enmity, with all the +high Orange party and self-constituted Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. + +This distinct evidence of the Prince Regent’s avowed support of the +Catholic claims, I have thought it right to record, upon the almost +irrefragable authority from which I received it. My testimony would +certainly lead to a directly opposite conclusion, _viz._, that he was +often willing to leave an impression on those with whom he conversed +that he was friendly to the admission of Roman Catholics to Parliament, +but that he was studiously cautious of saying in distinct terms that +he deemed that measure either practicable or expedient. The Duke of +Orleans (Louis Philippe) told me that in the year 1814 or 1815, I forget +which, he distinctly avowed his hostility to all concession whatever; +and explained the nature of his repugnance to it and of his scruples, by +saying that if Catholics could be lawfully admitted to political power +they could not be lawfully excluded from the Crown, and the title of his +family would in that case cease to be legitimate. This remark, however, +was made at a period and in a conversation where it was evidently the +object of the English Prince to impress on the Duke of Orleans the duty +of implicit obedience to what he considered the “legitimate” heir to +the Bourbon throne, and to imply that it was religious, not political, +considerations which had justified the English in departing from the +regular line of succession. + + + + +APPENDIX C + +LORD HOLLAND TO LORD GREY + +(See p. 293) + +(_Containing his report of a conversation with Sir John Leach._) + + + _12th June, 1820._ + +DEAR GREY, + +I am hoarse, lame, gouty, nervous, and annoyed, but must write you +a letter—not about my motion. I daresay that, at your distance, you +disapprove it; but I am right, and were you here you would think so. +However, I leave that to be explained by my speech, if I can deliver it, +by time, and by conversation, if I am ever to get any of that commodity +with you again. But there is a business more embarrassing. I shall not +mention names by letter; you will probably guess, and perhaps your +judgment on things will not be less impartial and good if you do not. + +Since Saturday’s post I have had two conversations not of my seeking. +I was told Ministers expected, possibly meant, to be beaten to-night +in the House of Commons on the question of adjournment, and then meant +to resign to-morrow, leaving the King at issue with his Commons and +without a Government. An answer was to be made last night by Liverpool +to a remonstrance sent to him by the King against Canning’s speech, +which would, no doubt, maintain Canning stoutly (it did so), and thereby +furnish an opportunity for dismissing the whole Ministry before their +defeat in the Commons. My informant stated _himself_ to be at a loss +what to advise, because it depended on the practicability of forming a +new Ministry. He therefore consulted me, _as his friend_, what he ought +to do for his own honour and character and for the King’s service; his +notion, he added, had been to advise the King to dismiss the present men +directly (that was last night), to fetter any new Government he should +appoint with _no_ conditions whatever, and to send for me, Lansdowne and +_Grenville!_ to-day. In the course of our conversation when your name +occurred, he always dwelt on the great pressure of time, and said with +concern that you were in Northumberland. + +The substance of what I said was that while an ostensible Ministry was in +existence it was impossible for me, with any regard to my own character, +feelings, or principles, to convey through him or any one else any +opinion on the propriety or the impropriety of dismissing that Ministry; +on the way in which such dismissal could be accomplished; or, indeed, on +the practicability of forming any other Government. I was, therefore, +compelled to decline saying one word on those topics or giving him any +advice how to act. + +I told him, however, as my private friend, what was, and long had been, +my situation in political connection. From my long experience of your +public conduct, confidence in your abilities, and private affection and +friendship for you, I had transferred to you that political attachment I +had felt for my uncle when alive. There might be, from there being less +disparity in years and possibly in understanding between us, some slight +difference in the degree, but none in the nature, of that political +attachment. That, unless so improbable an event as a difference between +us on some great question affecting the general policy of the country +should ever occur, I not only could never be of any service to the King +in office _without_ you, but could only be of service to him by being +brought there _by and under_ you. The King, I supposed, must infer this +from his knowledge of my general party principles. I was sure I could not +be five minutes in his closet on matters connected with the formation +of a Ministry, without his knowing it distinctly. Without reference, +therefore, to present circumstances, I showed that sending for me would +be quite idle, unless the intention were not only to admit you as a +Minister, but to consult and to entrust you in the task of forming +one; and if that were the intention, the direct method, always the +best, was perhaps more emphatically so, because something like personal +estrangement had either subsisted or been rumoured to subsist between +you and the King. As a general, though not invariable, rule, and always +without reference to the immediate subject of our interview, I hinted +that a King of England did best to place his confidence in some one man +or, at least, some one party, and to leave to that person’s or that +party’s discretion all union and coalition with others. I did not like +to object to a man I so sincerely respect as Grenville, but I contrived +in the course of conversation carelessly to observe that all political +connection with him had dropped. + +I then bantered my friend on the little comparative importance he +attached to [the] House of Commons, and to various great measures on +which men entrusted with power must make up their minds. He called the +House of Commons _wild_, and seemed surprised when I told him that if he +thought them _wild_ he would think the public, if he knew their feelings +on the same subject, quite _frantic_. He seemed to apprehend that, in +spite of the public clamour and Parliamentary unwillingness to do much, +the King would not be satisfied with a separation or even a divorce, +unless the Queen were deprived of her title and dignity as well as of +her relation to him. I could not help saying, “That in that case he was +a damned unreasonable fellow.” My friend seemed to imagine there could +be no important measure but the Catholic question, from which remark +I collected that that point might be conceded. I told him I differed +with him extremely there. There were in my mind many measures—popular +measures—of more importance to the stability and character of a Ministry +and to the country than any squabble between man and wife could be: that +as far as I had weight with parties in power I should recommend them to +be very inflexible about such measures, and much more so than about men. +I purposely avoided marking too distinctly what they were, but observed +that [the] more a Government was harassed with such odious and painful +subjects as the domestic quarrels of [the] Royal Family, the more prudent +and the more incumbent upon them it would be to insist on everything that +could benefit or, consistently with safety, gratify the country. I am +afraid this part of my conversation did not please, and I was sorry to +perceive it did not. + +I need not tell you how I felt and do feel your absence. My line is, +indeed, clear, whether you are absent or not; but indeed, my dear Grey, +it is hardly fair to expect that that of other persons can be so. They +cannot take upon themselves to act _for_ you. + +It is quite impossible for them to consult you on the emergencies that +may arise at such a distance—an endeavour to do so is tantamount to not +acting at all. + + Yours, + + VASSALL HOLLAND. + +I hardly know what I have written: I am so harassed with cold and +business. + +Since I wrote, Lansdowne and Tierney have been here: both have had +similar communications through different channels, and Lord Buckingham, +I am told, has taken one of the same kind down to Dropmore. The only +difference is that Lansdowne’s and Tierney’s informants (both political +friends of ours) said they were authorised by [the] King to communicate +and consult: my friend only asked me my advice for the regulation of +his own conduct. Tierney said nothing could be done in [the] House of +Commons, _and_ the King’s cause there was lost; and he suggested, not +to dismiss the Ministry, but to leave them to entangle themselves and +disgrace themselves more. Lansdowne is most properly afraid of putting +ourselves at all at the mercy of the Court in case of a change, but seems +to think that union with some of the present men, Liverpool especially, +would secure you more effectually against that evil than I think it +would; but I cannot enter into all the various views and speculations and +shades of opinion. Lansdowne constantly and naturally urges your coming +up. + + Yours, + + VASSALL HOLLAND. + +I should add, in case Tierney forgets it, that his informant said +distinctly the King had no personal objection to your being, not only a +Minister, but first Minister, and his informant, I am sure, would wish to +see you so. + + + + +APPENDIX D + +JUNIUS LETTERS + + +On Tuesday, May 29, 1834, I dined at Norfolk House; and the conversation +turned, after dinner, as it does too often everywhere, on the question +who was the author of _Junius_. However, on this occasion I heard +something new and worth remembering. + +Lord Albemarle, a man of a good memory and strict veracity, said he had +once been present at a conversation (after much wine had been drunk) +between Mr. Dudley North and Sir Philip Francis. The former rallied the +latter somewhat rudely as the author of _Junius_, said it was vain to +deny it, and that everybody so considered him, and took him to task for +various opinions and expressions in the work. Francis grew angry, and +with more solemnity than was usual exclaimed, “Do you then mean, sir, +seriously to tell me that I am a scoundrel or a liar? I have denied +distinctly my being the author, and after that they who believe I am must +believe me to be a liar or a scoundrel or both.” + +Dudley North then changed his battery; and, disclaiming all serious +suspicion of the fact, implied he was unequal to the task, with much +more to vex him and put him off his guard. At last he said: “In short, +it is idle to talk so much about it: we all, in truth, know how it +is—Lloyd[432] wrote the letters and you corrected the press.” + +Francis at these words seemed startled; he coloured and answered, as +Albemarle thought, with emotions of surprise: “_You have made much worse +guesses, sir, in your life than that_.” + +It tallies with my impressions of Francis’s conversations, inasmuch as +he always seemed to me to know or imply something about _Junius_, but to +_deny_ strictly his being the author. + + + + +FOOTNOTES + + +[1] [The ruler of Portugal at this time was Queen Maria I., who had +succeeded her father King Joseph in 1777. She married her uncle Dom +Pedro, who was proclaimed King conjointly with her. After the successive +death of her husband and eldest son in 1788, she became insane, and the +country was governed by her son Dom John, who was officially declared +Regent in 1799.] + +[2] [Percy, sixth Viscount Strangford (1780-1855), Minister +Plenipotentiary to the Portuguese Court. + +Early in November the Prince Regent of Portugal, alarmed by the threats +of Napoleon, had issued a declaration detaining British subjects and +property in Lisbon. Lord Strangford, after a final remonstrance, at once +went on board the English fleet, which was under the command of Sir +Sidney Smith. A rigorous blockade of the Tagus was enforced, but this +state of affairs only lasted a few days. Intercourse with the Court was +renewed, and Lord Strangford returned to Lisbon on the 27th.] + +[3] My authorities for the facts related in the text are Sir Graham +Moore;* Mr. Sitaro, a Portuguese merchant who victualled our fleets from +Lisbon; Mr. Chamberlayne, then agent of packets at Lisbon, subsequently +Consul at Rio Janeiro; and Mr. Bell, an English merchant, whose talents +and intrepidity during the French occupation of Portugal should have +entitled him to the place of Consul in 1809, but were found unequal to +contend with the qualifications of Mr. Jeffrey,† a member of the House +of Commons distinguished for his coarse calumnies and unfounded charges +against Lord St. Vincent.—V.H. + +[* Admiral Sir Graham Moore (1764-1843), a younger brother of Sir John +Moore. The commander of the English fleet which escorted the Portuguese +Royal Family to the Brazils.] + +[† M.P. for Poole. His attacks on Lord St. Vincent took place in 1805 and +1806.] + +[4] [For Lord Holland’s note on Lord Strangford’s dispatch, see Appendix +A.] + +[5] [Domingo Antonio de Souza-Continho, Marquis de Funchal (1765-1832), +Portuguese Ambassador in England.] + +[6] [An expedition against Mexico. See _Memoirs of the Whig Party_, vol. +ii p. 117.] + +[7] [The detention of Prince Ferdinand at Bayonne, whither Charles IV. +had fled, and the rapid concentration of French armies on Madrid had +caused the latent fury of the Spanish people to reach boiling point. A +riot took place on May 2 in Madrid, in which five hundred French and +many Spaniards were slain; and this within a few days was the signal for +risings in every province of the country.] + +[8] [Francis Horner, Esq. (1778-1817), a leading politician on the Whig +side. One of the originators of the _Edinburgh Review_.] + +[9] [John, tenth Earl of Westmorland (1759-1841), Lord Privy Seal.] + +[10] [Florida Blanca (1728-1808), Spanish statesman. He was head of the +Government from 1777 to 1791, when he was dismissed by Charles IV. and +thrown into prison.] + +[11] [Don Gaspar Melchior de Jovellanos (1744-1811), Spanish statesman +and author.] + +[12] [William Wickham (1761-1840). His activity as British Minister in +Switzerland caused the French Directory to demand his expulsion in 1798. +He was a member of the Treasury Board under Lord Grenville, 1806-1807.] + +[13] [See _ante_, p. 11.] + +[14] [The lenient terms of the Convention were generally condemned in +England, and were even referred to with disapprobation in the King’s +Speech at the commencement of the following Session, (January 19, 1809).] + +[15] [Sir William Napier states that Moore obtained the command owing to +the goodwill of the King, and that a few months before the Ministers had +attempted to drive him into private life. Their hostility was fostered by +Canning, whose friend Drummond, the British envoy at Palermo, Moore had +thwarted when in command of the troops in Sicily. Sir John Moore wrote +at this period in his Diary, edited by Major-General Sir J. F. Maurice +(vol. ii. p. 250): “I understand that several of the Cabinet have taken a +personal dislike to me, though I have seldom seen them, and they can know +nothing of me. They wish to hold up Sir Arthur Wellesley.... Though they +were forced to approve what I had done in Sweden, yet it was against the +grain, for I took no trouble to conceal the ignorance which had sent us +there, when they should have known from the character of the King and the +weakness of his force that it was impossible for anything to be done.”] + +[16] Sir John Moore was a Scotchman.—V.H. + +[17] [Sir H. E. Bunbury, in his _Narrative_, says of him: “His manner was +singularly agreeable to those whom he liked, but to those whom he did not +esteem his bearing was severe.”] + +[18] [Right Hon. John Hookham Frere (1769-1846), diplomatist and author. +Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, 1799-1800: Minister at Lisbon, 1800: +and at Madrid, 1802. After his failure in Spain, he refused further +employment, and devoted himself to literature. Frere, being an intimate +friend of Canning, was not likely to regard Moore with favour or to make +any great exertions on his behalf.] + +[19] [Manuel de Godoy, Duke of Alcudia (1767-1851), favourite and +Minister of Charles IV.] + +[20] [General Sir David Baird (1757-1829), Sir John Moore’s +second-in-command.] + +[21] Honble. Bladen Capel, who commanded the _Endymion_. (The account in +the text was given me by Captain Basil Hall, then a midshipman in that +ship, and confirmed by Capel himself.—V.H.) + +[Afterwards Admiral Sir Thomas Bladen Capel, K.C.B. (1776-1853), youngest +son of William Anne, fourth Earl of Essex.] + +[22] [This letter, dated January 13, 1809, was written to Lord +Castlereagh (_Castlereagh Correspondence_, vii. 26). The passage referred +to in the text is as follows: “Your lordship knows that had I followed +my own opinion as a military man, I should have retired with the army +from Salamanca. The Spanish armies were then beaten. I was sensible, +however, that had the British been withdrawn, the loss of the cause would +have been imputed to their retreat. It was for this reason that I made +the march to Sagunhan. As a diversion it succeeded: I brought the whole +disposable force of the French against this army, and it has been allowed +to follow it without a single movement being made to favour my retreat.”] + +[23] [The Austrians made no actual move against France till March, 1809, +but the intelligence of their activity caused Napoleon’s departure from +Spain. He must, however, probably have realised, judging from an order +issued when he was about to leave the army, that the escape of Moore and +his force was ultimately certain.] + +[24] [General Sir Robert Wilson (1777-1849), author of the _History of +the British Expedition to Egypt_. He was dismissed from the army for a +supposed participation in a riot on the occasion of Queen Caroline’s +funeral, but was reinstated in 1830.] + +[25] [Commander-in-Chief in Portugal for a few months.] + +[26] [He was created Marquis de la Union, an appellation curiously +unsuited to his record in Spain.] + +[27] [William Adam (1751-1839), at this time Attorney-General to the +Prince of Wales and trustee to the Duke of York in certain private +matters.] + +[28] [Sir David Dundas (1735-1820), Commander-in-Chief, 1809-1811.] + +[29] [Mr. Creevey writes in his diary, dated, November 12, 1809: “I meet +Abercromby in my walk.... When I tell him Wardle is on his legs again, +all he can say is, ‘Wardle is the agent of the Duke of Kent.’ Was there +ever such nonsense?” (_Creevey Papers_, vol. i. p. 113). Creevey seems, +however, to have been a personal friend of Colonel Wardle. “I can’t bring +myself to think there is anything bad in him, and I have looked at him in +all ways in order to be sure of him. I know he is in distress for money, +but all men from his part of the country dine with him and speak well of +him.”] + +[30] [William, afterwards third Earl of Radnor (1779-1869).] + +[31] [John Charles, Viscount Althorp (1782-1845), who succeeded his +father as Earl Spencer in 1834; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1830-1834.] + +[32] [Right Hon. George Ponsonby (1755-1817), son of John Ponsonby, Esq. +He distinguished himself in the Irish Parliament, and was made Lord +Chancellor of Ireland in 1806. He was leader of the Whigs in the House of +Commons from 1808 until his death in 1817, which resulted from a stroke +of paralysis in the House.] + +[33] [Sir William Napier states that the primary object of the expedition +was to insure the safety of the town and Spanish fleet against any +possibility of capture by the French. The negotiations finally fell +through, owing to the wavering policy of the English Cabinet and the +ill-judged diplomatic methods of Mr. Frere. The Supreme Junta refused +to allow the British troops to enter the town, though the mob were +clamouring for their admittance. After Sir George Smith’s death the +command devolved on General Mackenzie, who returned with the troops to +Lisbon after all hope of a satisfactory arrangement was at an end.] + +[34] [Sir Sidney Smith had been sent out to command the South American +Station in 1808.] + +[35] [It is perhaps worthy of note that Lord Castlereagh’s biographer, +Sir Archibald Alison, treats the expedition to Walcheren as one of a +number of important moves against Napoleon. He considers that the War +Secretary’s policy, unaltered throughout his tenure of office, was +to break Napoleon’s power of meeting Great Britain on the sea, and +illustrates his view by the mention of the successive expeditions aimed +at the destruction or capture of fleets belonging to European Powers in +subjection to France—_viz._, the bombardment of Copenhagen, the blockade +of the Russian fleet in the Baltic, the expeditions to Lisbon and Cadiz, +etc. Had Lord Castlereagh been able to persuade the Cabinet to undertake +this expedition in 1808 instead of 1809, the destruction of the French +fleet then building at Antwerp would have been assured. As it was, a +daring and forward policy and a strict obedience to the original orders +from home would have attained its object; but the incapacity and jealousy +of the commanders gave Napoleon time to reinforce his garrisons, and +doomed the British force to inactivity and disease in the swamps of the +Scheldt.] + +[36] [John, second Earl of Chatham (1756-1835). He held the posts of +First Lord of the Admiralty, 1788-1794; Lord Privy Seal, 1794-1796; Lord +President of the Council, 1796-1801; Master-General of the Ordnance, +1801-1806; Governor of Gibraltar, 1820-1835. Alison states that, “Lord +Castlereagh was constrained by the highest influence to offer the command +to the Earl of Chatham.”] + +[37] [A monument was erected there by Lady Chatham, consisting of +a marble urn, with a medallion by John Bacon. It is stated in the +_Dictionary of National Biography_ that the memorial was removed to +Stowe, and is now at Revesby Abbey, Lincolnshire.] + +[38] [He served in Canada on Sir Guy Carleton’s staff from 1774 to March, +1776, when he was removed by his father from the army, owing to the +continuance of the American War. He returned to the service two years +later on the outbreak of war with France.] + +[39] [Admiral Sir Home Popham (1762-1820). He had been attached to the +Duke of York’s army in Flanders in 1795, and had thus gained experience +and local knowledge of its seaboard. In this expedition he commanded the +_Venerable_, seventy-four guns.] + +[40] [The newly appointed Master-General of the Ordnance.] + +[41] [Joseph Fouché, Duke of Otranto (1763-1820), one of Napoleon’s chief +agents in the overthrow of the Directory. At this period Minister of +Police and of the Interior.] + +[42] The circumstances related in the text, which I committed to paper +in 1817 or 1818, have been confirmed this year by the publication of +Fouché’s memoirs: the agent, I learnt from those memoirs, to be no other +than Ouvrard.—V.H. + +[Gabriel Julien Ouvrard (1770-1846), French financier.] + +[43] [A story is told in the _Memoirs of Sir Charles Napier_, on the +authority of Lady Castlereagh, that Canning was willing to reinstate +Castlereagh if he would give up Sir John Moore. Alison states the cause +of the duel to have been the fact that Castlereagh detected, in the +intrigue, a design of Canning for self-advancement and resented it +accordingly.] + +[44] Lord Grenville says, in a letter to me, October 17, 1809: “I really +think, by dint of showing how ill he has been used, Castlereagh will +begin to make himself regretted. It will be a singular conclusion of the +business, if the compassion of the public should be excited in favour of +the one Minister who was perhaps of them all the most unpopular.” + +Such was, however, the conclusion, and Lord Grenville turned out a +prophet.—V.H. + +[45] [Right Hon. Charles Bragge Bathurst, cousin of Lord Bathurst. He +accepted the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from Lord +Liverpool in 1812.] + +[46] [Sir Benjamin Hobhouse (1757-1831), father of the first Lord +Broughton. Secretary to the Board of Control under Addington in 1803, and +created a baronet in 1812.] + +[47] Mr. Sydney Smith said coarsely, but wittily, that the Whig canvass +for Lord Grenville at Oxford was like the trustees of the Magdalen +applying to place a reclaimed prostitute at a baudy house.—V.H. + +[48] [Better known as Lord Wycombe. His wife was the widow of Sir Duke +Gifford, of Castle Jordan, in Ireland. Lord Lansdowne was succeeded by +his half-brother, Lord Henry Petty.] + +[49] [Princess Liechstenstein, in her book on Holland House, alludes to +this story as a fabrication. Her version, however, is that the lines +were composed by Lord Holland, describing the probable nature of his own +death.] + +[50] [Son of William, first Marquess of Lansdown, by his second wife, +Lady Louisa Fitzpatrick; born in 1780.] + +[51] [Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons.] + +[52] In 1815, or early in 1816, Lady Holland and myself were asked if we +would receive him without any explanation of his long estrangement. We +answered, “Yes”; and he resumed the habits of familiarity and intimacy as +if nothing had happened.—V.H. [See p. 234.] + +[53] [Henry George, Lord Porchester, who succeeded his father as second +Earl of Carnarvon in 1811. Born in 1772; died in 1833.] + +[54] [James, eighth Earl of Lauderdale (1759-1839). During the greater +part of his political life he was included among the ultra-Whigs, but +after 1820 his views underwent a radical change, and he even became an +opponent of Lord Grey’s Reform Bill.] + +[55] [Right Hon. Richard Ryder (1766-1832), second son of Nathaniel, +first Baron Harrowby.] + +[56] [William Frederick Eden (1782-1810), eldest son of William, first +Lord Auckland, and Deputy-Teller of the Exchequer. He was found drowned +in the Thames.] + +[57] [Right Hon. Charles Philip Yorke (1764-1834), eldest son of the +Right Hon. Charles Yorke, by his second wife; Secretary for War under Mr. +Addington.] + +[58] [John Gale Jones, the President of a debating society known by the +high-sounding name of the “British Forum.” He was by trade an apothecary.] + +[59] This they technically call “cushioning” a speaker.—V.H. + +[60] [Published in 1866, by Mrs. Henry Baring.] + +[61] [George Ellis (1745-1815), miscellaneous writer. He contributed to +the _Rolliad_ and the _Anti-Jacobin_.] + +[62] The Charter’s House, I think.—V.H. + +[Mr. Windham died from the effects of a severe operation for tumour, +which was caused by a slight injury received about a year before, while +helping to save a valuable library from a fire in the house of his +friend, the Hon. Frederick North.] + +[63] I have been told that some parts of the original, not extracted by +Mr. Ellis, and written in very plain English but in the Greek character, +are very strange, and relate to very strange subjects.—V.H. + +[64] [By a clause in the Appropriation Bill this sum was to be handed +over to Queen Anne’s Bounty for the relief of the poorer clergy.] + +[65] [Dr. John Allen (1771-1843). He was first introduced to Lord and +Lady Holland in 1801, and accompanied them to Spain as their medical +adviser. After their return in 1805, he lived almost entirely at Holland +House, and was treated as a member of the family. He was a constant +contributor to the Whig periodicals and reviews, and also published +several historical treatises.] + +[66] [Lord Lauderdale’s amendment in the House of Lords was directed +against the payment of compensation to Mr. Thomas Scott for the abolition +of a small Government post in Edinburgh, to which he had only been +appointed a short time previously. A letter from Sir Walter Scott to +his brother, written a few weeks later, is quoted in Lockhart’s _Life +of Sir Walter Scott_: “Lord Holland has been in Edinburgh, and we met +accidentally at a public party. He made up to me, but I remembered his +part in your affair, and _cut_ him with as little remorse as an old pen.” +The meeting took place at a dinner of the _Friday Club_.] + +[67] [Covent Garden Theatre was destroyed by fire in September, 1808, and +Drury Lane in February, 1809. The former was reopened by Kemble, with +_Macbeth_, in September, 1809. The rise in prices, which aroused the +displeasure of the theatre-going public, was but a small one. An extra +shilling was to be charged for the boxes, and sixpence for the pit. The +riots continued until the middle of December, when the original prices +were restored.] + +[68] [Henry Clifford (1768-1813), son of Hon. Thomas Clifford, of Tixall, +Staffordshire.] + +[69] The old Duke of Queensberry, in theory and practice the most selfish +philosopher and consistent voluptuary of our days, tremblingly alive to +every appearance of danger which threatened even remotely the stability +of property, took the alarm. I believe he parted with money in support of +the interests of the managers, and he subscribed largely soon afterwards +to the rebuilding of Drury Lane Theatre.—V.H. + +[70] Such I have seen from him to his sister, the Crown Princess of +Brunswick; the copy of Smollett’s edition containing the mysterious +passage I never saw. His son, George IV., when Prince of Wales, told me +it was in Lord Buckingham’s library or in Buckingham House library; and, +strange to say, I forget which.—V.H. + +[71] [The following anecdote appears in a manuscript volume containing +various reminiscences and short essays written by Lord Holland, which +may possibly relate to the incident mentioned in the text: “In the +Coalition Administration there was a Cabinet held for granting pardons +and reprieves and signing warrants of execution, etc., when a difficulty +occurred that had not been foreseen, _viz._, that when sentence of death +was converted into transportation there was no place to transport the +felons to. Some conversation ensued between Lord North and Mr. Fox, +when His Majesty, with a levity quite unusual to his character, said, +‘Gentlemen, the felons used to be sent to America. But America is now +lost. It is none of my fault. It is for you, gentlemen’ (addressing +Mr. Fox and Lord North) ‘to settle it between you;’ and retired half +bowing and skipping out of the room. Mr. Fox, probably from having been +disconcerted at so strange a sally, would never allow that there was +the least pleasantry or fun in this singular trait of His Majesty; and +General Conway observed on the spot that it seemed to him His Majesty was +a little touched in the head.”] + +[72] [Mr. Pitt resigned in 1801 on account of the King’s refusal to deal +in any way with the Roman Catholic question.] + +[73] Afterwards Sir Herbert.—V.H. + +[He was originally Military-Secretary to the Duke of York, and first +acted as Secretary to the King in 1804. It is stated on his own authority +that he was the first Private Secretary employed by George III.] + +[74] [Jesse, in his _Memoirs of King George III._, states that the +King had at some period of his youth conceived a passionate admiration +for Elizabeth, Countess of Pembroke, daughter of Charles, second Duke +of Marlborough. Whether this ever came to the knowledge of the lady +in question is uncertain, but her beauty seems to have made a deep +impression on George III.’s mind. During his illness in 1789, and again +in 1810, her name was continually on his lips; and it is even reported +that he thought he was married to her, and was furious at not being +allowed to see her.] + +[75] If His Majesty meant by “stable” monarchical, his prophecy has +been happily fulfilled; but if he used the word in its true sense, the +events of the ensuing forty years strangely belied his expectations. +Almost every monarchy in Christendom has been convulsed by insurrections, +revolutions, and changes, but the Republic of the United States has been +uniformly tranquil and undisturbed in its sure progress, improvement, and +prosperity.—V.H. + +[76] [Edward Venables Vernon (1757-1847), youngest son of George, first +Lord Vernon, and Martha, daughter of Hon. Simon Harcourt; appointed +to the See of York in 1807. He took the name of Harcourt in 1831, on +succeeding to the estates of that family. + +Charles Manners-Sutton, grandson of the third Duke of Rutland; born in +1755; became Bishop of Norwich in 1792, and Archbishop of Canterbury in +1805; died in 1828. He was father of Charles Manners-Sutton, created +Viscount Canterbury, Speaker from 1817 to 1834. Wraxall relates that +Pitt was anxious to raise Dr. Tomline, Bishop of Lincoln, who was at +one time his Private Secretary, to the vacancy at Canterbury. George +III., however, refused to listen to the suggestion, and insisted on the +appointment of Dr. Manners-Sutton.] + +[77] Perhaps, when compared with his immediate predecessors, he is +entitled to some little praise for promoting literature and encouraging +the arts. His father had courted popularity by affecting a passion for +poetry, and the real or ostentatious respect for letters entertained by +Lord Bute had impressed on his mind a notion that it became a sovereign +to patronise such pursuits. He accordingly founded the Royal Library, +pensioned Dr. Johnson and some less celebrated writers, and collected +more than one valuable library. He had, however, little or no perception +of the beauties of any of those arts he thus rewarded. He had no relish +for poetry, wit, or eloquence; no love of study; no discrimination in +painting, sculpture, or even conversation. He had some fanciful notions +about architecture, but all perverted or bad.—V.H. + +[78] Beneficia, eo usque læta sunt, dum videntur exsolvi posse: ubi +multum antevenere, pro gratia odium redditur.—_Tacitus Ann._, lib. iv. 18. + +Quidam, quo plus debent, eo magis oderunt. Leve æs alienum debitorem +facit, grave inimicum.—_Seneca_, ep. 19.—V.H. + +[79] It was with reference to this infirmity or talent, whichever it +be, in His Royal Highness, that Mr. Fox, on being sent for by him from +the country to hear an explanation of his conduct or sentiments on some +public occasion, said with more peevishness, but with as much pleasantry +and simplicity, as were usual in him, “Here must I leave my roses and +St. Anne’s, and go to London to hear _a lie an hour long_ at Carlton +House.” Nothing could more happily describe the character of the Prince’s +conversation when he wished to conceal his views or opinions.—V.H. + +[80] [Sir Robert Adair (1763-1855), son of Robert Adair, Surgeon to +George III., and Lady Caroline Keppel, daughter of the second Earl of +Albemarle.] + +[81] [Lord Eldon.] + +[82] [The Bill was composed of five resolutions: (1) Appointing the +Prince of Wales Regent with certain restrictions: (2) Refusing him +the power, for a time, of granting peerages: (3) Refusing the power +of granting offices and reversions for a longer term than the royal +pleasure: (4) Treating of the King’s private property: (5) Vesting the +management of the King’s Household in the Queen.] + +[83] [Richard, second Lord Ashburton (1782-1823). The title became +extinct at his death.] + +[84] [William Eden, created Lord Auckland in 1789. He died in 1814.] + +[85] [Charles, third Earl Stanhope (1753-1816). He married a sister of +William Pitt, whom he supported in Parliament until 1786. During that +year Lord Stanhope succeeded to the title, and differences on the Sinking +Fund caused him to desert his brother-in-law and ally himself to the +Whigs. He was an ardent admirer of the revolutionary doctrines in France, +and gave his support to any advanced schemes for reform in this country. +Lord Holland gives a detailed account of his inventions and eccentric +ways in the early volumes of this work. See also p. 245.] + +[86] [By a majority of 3. The House adjourned at 5 o’clock in the +morning.] + +[87] [Gustavus IV., King of Sweden from 1792 to 1809. In the latter year +he was removed from the throne by the Swedish people, who were enraged by +his foreign policy. He was succeeded by his uncle.] + +[88] [Lord Grenville insisted on retaining his auditorship in addition to +the post of First Lord of the Treasury. The arrangement was especially +indefensible, from his objection to the principle in the case of two +members of the existing Government.] + +[89] [Lord Holland was accustomed to take a house in London every year. +Holland House was at that period completely surrounded by country. Dr. +Drew writes in December, 1797: “Again, the walk from Kensington to Hyde +Park Corner by day is pleasant enough, but the return by night dark and +dangerous and infested by footpads....” (_Holland House MSS._)] + +[90] [See Moore’s _Life of Sheridan_, vol. ii. p. 394.] + +[91] [Francis Charles, Earl of Yarmouth (1777-1842), who succeeded his +father as second Marquess of Hertford in 1822.] + +[92] Then Dr. Vaughan.—V.H. + +[George III.’s principal medical attendant.] + +[93] [Charles William, Viscount Milton (1786-1857). He succeeded his +father as Earl Fitzwilliam in 1833.] + +[94] Lord Dartmouth, in his notes to Burnett, ascribes this repartee +to some other Whig lord. No matter who said it, the saying is good, +illustrates much of the private and party history of this country, and +is, I think, applicable to the passage which I have been relating.—V.H. + +[95] [General the Hon. Richard FitzPatrick (1748-1813), Lord Holland’s +uncle.] + +[96] Lords Grey and Grenville.—V.H. + +[97] Cumberland.—V.H. + +[98] Bedfordshire.—V.H. + +[99] Vernon Smith, his nephew, then ill at Ampthill Park.—V.H. + +[100] Mr. Wellesley Pole, afterwards Lord Maryborough, brother to the +Duke of Wellington.—V.H. + +[101] [The letter is given in the _Annual Register_ for 1811, p. 12.] + +[102] [_Ex officio_ informations are those filed by the Attorney-General +_in virtue of his office_, without applying to the court, where they are +filed, for leave, or giving the defendant an opportunity of showing cause +why they should not be filed (_Cabinet Lawyer_).] + +[103] [Edward Law, first Baron Ellenborough (1750-1818). Lord Chief +Justice from 1802 till the year of his death. Charles Greville, in his +_Memoirs_, repeats an amusing story of his treatment of counsel in his +court. “A man was opening his speech, and said, ‘My Lord, my unfortunate +client,’ and then repeated the words again. ‘Go on, sir,’ said Lord +Ellenborough, ‘the court is with you so far.’”] + +[104] [“The general tenour of his speech (that of Mr. Horner on May 6) +was to show that the paper currency of the country had undergone an +actual depreciation, and that the only remedy was to provide for the +resumption of cash payments at the bank as speedily as possible.”—_Annual +Register_, 1811. + +The report of the Parliamentary Committee on bullion, of which Mr. +Horner was president and Mr. (afterwards Sir Robert) Peel was a member, +was to the same effect, _i.e._ that paper issues were always liable to +depreciation unless they were at any time convertible into gold.] + +[105] [Peter, seventh Lord King (1776-1833). His eldest son, who +succeeded him, was created Earl of Lovelace.] + +[106] [This famous case was raised by William Berkeley, eldest son of +Frederick-Augustus, fifth Earl of Berkeley, on the death of his father in +1810, claiming the titles. He was born in 1786, and though his father was +not supposed to have married his mother, Mary Cole, until 1796, a secret +marriage was alleged to have taken place in 1785. This was, however, +proved to be untrue, and the suit was disallowed. William Berkeley was +created Earl Fitzhardinge in 1841: his youngest brother, the only son +born after the marriage, never took any steps to claim the title of Earl +of Berkeley.] + +[107] In the course of the cause a question arose whether the declaration +or deposition of the late Lord Berkeley could be admitted in evidence. It +was referred to the judges; and their solemn opinion was delivered that +it could _not_. Never was the force of a phrase more strongly exemplified +than on that occasion. Mr. Justice Laurence drew a distinction between +declarations made before and after any question had been raised on the +subject. In stating the distinction, he borrowed a Latin phrase from the +Civil Law, and said that a declaration _post litem motam_ could not be +admitted. _Lis mota_ occurred in every fourth or fifth sentence of every +opinion delivered afterwards by the learned judges. The Lords looked +wise, and acknowledged in whispers to each other a _lis mota_ altered the +whole nature of a declaration. The declaration in question was, on this +principle, rejected. Yet the phrase _lis mota_, which seemed to awaken +all the recollections of the learned, was then mentioned for the first +time, and had hitherto been utterly unknown to our law and our lawyers. +Even the principle, though perhaps not unreasonable, had never, or at +least very seldom, if ever, been recognised in our Courts.—V.H. + +[108] The business was decided in Parliament, or rather compromised +finally elsewhere in 1812, but it was obvious that the zeal of the Prince +Regent in the cause of his friend had abated in 1811.—V.H. + +[Colonel Palmer, the manager of the Bath Theatre, had, in 1784, after +much difficulty, obtained a trial for his scheme of fast mail coaches. +Such was its success that, in 1800, the postal revenues were more than +trebled. It was at first proposed to grant him 2½ per cent. on a portion +of the increase, but this fell through, owing to the opposition of the +authorities, and with much difficulty he finally obtained a pension of +£3,000 a year and a gratuity of £50,000.] + +[109] I have sometimes thought that this book, which is too long, might +with due regard to method and perspicuity be divided here. As it stands, +however, it embraces all the negotiations between the Prince Regent and +the Whigs, and the period included in it is not more than one year and +half.—V.H. + +[110] When I related the substance of these conversations to Lord Grey, +I could not but be diverted with his characteristic and somewhat jealous +remark, “There was no use,” said he, “in mentioning A. G. Ponsonby; +to such an arrangement there might be many objections. I feel some +myself.”—V.H. + +[111] [General the Hon. Henry Edward Fox, Lord Holland’s uncle, youngest +brother of Charles James Fox. He was born in 1755, and married, in 1786, +Marianne, daughter of William Clayton, Esq.] + +[112] Lord Dorchester.—V.H. + +[113] [Rumours were afloat in Spain at this time of a desire to place +British officers in command of Spanish troops, and of the possibility +of a permanent occupation by the English of certain portions of Spanish +territory. A note was delivered to the Cortes by the British Minister, +Mr. Wellesley, flatly contradicting these statements.] + +[114] [Richard Colley, Marquess Wellesley (1760-1842), elder brother of +the Duke of Wellington; Governor-General of India, 1797-1805; Ambassador +at Madrid, 1809; Foreign Secretary, 1809-1812; Lord-Lieutenant of +Ireland, 1821-1828 and 1833-1834.] + +[115] [Sir Archibald Alison claims the initiation of this policy for Lord +Castlereagh. Lord Holland’s account, however, is more probably correct, +for Mr. Thornton, who was in charge of the negotiations, was sent to +Sweden five months before Lord Castlereagh’s return to office.] + +[116] Some say he was a relation, and an Irishman. The original name of +the Wellesley or Wesley family was Colley.—V.H. + +[117] [His views on the Roman Catholic question also tended to his +subsequent resignation. See Appendix B.] + +[118] [He delivered up the Seals on February 19th.] + +[119] [The letter is published in the _Annual Register_ for 1812, p. 329. +After a lengthy dissertation on the state of affairs at the moment when +he became Regent, the Prince discussed the danger of any sudden change +of Administration in the critical state of the war, but hoped that his +former friends would combine with the Ministers to form a really powerful +Government. He asked the Duke of York to convey this expression of his +views to Lords Grey and Grenville.] + +[120] I allude particularly to Mr. Southey,* who should have found +in the recollection of early kindnesses received from Mr. Charles +Williams Wynn,† when he was himself accused of obnoxious and Jacobinical +principles and not in affluent circumstances, some motives for +suppressing or softening rather than promulgating and exaggerating +any hasty or unguarded declarations which that gentleman might have +made to him in the heat of argument or in the warmth and confidence of +friendship. But Mr. Southey seemed about that time tired of opinions +which led to no worldly advantages, and angry with all Whigs because +those among them who were critics were not boundless in their admiration +of all his poetical effusions.—V.H. + +[* Robert Southey (1774-1843), the poet.] + +[† Charles Watkin Williams Wynn (1775-1850), a nephew of Lord Grenville +and Under-Secretary for the Home Department in the Ministry of “all the +talents.” He settled a small allowance on Southey, which was to continue +until he was able to obtain a pension for him from Government.] + +[121] [See _ante_, p. 103.] + +[122] [The letter appears on p. 331 of the _Annual Register_ for 1812. +The reasons for their refusal to take office with the Ministers were +based entirely on the advice given them by Lord Lansdowne.] + +[123] [For Foreign Affairs.] + +[124] “Weep, daughter of a Royal line,” etc., etc. + +The stanzas are printed, and to be found in his works.—V.H. + +[The incident took place at a banquet at Carlton House on February 22, +1812. According to the account printed in the _Courier_, the Prince +Regent expressed his “surprise and mortification” at Lords Grey and +Grenville’s unfavourable reply to the Duke of York’s letter. Lord +Lauderdale thereupon made it clear, in somewhat brusque language, that +the sentiments of the two Lords reflected exactly the disposition of the +whole Whig party, and that he himself had given his cordial assent to +their answer.] + +[125] It was written by Mr. Brougham.—V.H. + +[126] I have altered this passage from “hitherto has been” to “was,” for +since I originally wrote it in 1821 the great poetical genius of whom it +treats has terminated his short and irregular, but brilliant, career in +a place and in circumstances (and perhaps at a period of life) fortunate +for his literary and political fame. He was perhaps the shortest, but +surely not the least, miracle of our age.—V.H. + +[127] [John Milner, D.D. (1752-1826), Bishop of Castabala and +Vicar-Apostolic in the West of England.] + +[128] [The chief question was whether the English Government should have +a right of veto on the appointment of Catholic Bishops in the United +Kingdom.] + +[129] [These Orders in Council were issued in 1807, in order to +counteract Napoleon’s Berlin and Milan decrees against British commerce. +Any ship bound for a port in the French dominions was proclaimed a lawful +prize, unless she had already touched at some British harbour. + +The effect of this was to entirely put an end to the carrying trade of +the world; for one side confiscated ships which had come from English +ports, and the other those which had not. The Americans withdrew their +ships entirely from European waters, and passed a Non-Intercourse Act +forbidding commercial transactions with either of the combatants.] + +[130] [Created Earl Granville in 1815. (1773-1846).] + +[131] [_King Richard II._, Act II., Scene i.] + +[132] [Charles George, Lord Arden (1756-1840), Mr. Perceval’s eldest +brother.] + +[133] I wrote this in 1820 or 1821. Since that period the impression +of which I speak, if not altered, has been worn away and is much +forgotten. The change in men and in the condition of the country, and the +unreasonable and extravagant excitement produced by recent crimes and +their punishments, have, I believe, obliterated in the mind of the common +people the recollection of their feelings about Bellingham.—V.H. + +[134] [Mr. Perceval had, in April, sanctioned the appointment of +Committees of both Houses to examine the flood of petitions which were +pouring in.] + +[135] [The papers and minutes relating to these negotiations are given in +the _Annual Register_ for 1812, State Papers, p. 346, etc.] + +[136] [This letter was dated May 18.] + +[137] [James Archibald Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie (1776-1845), created +Baron Wharncliffe in 1826.] + +[138] [Mr. Creevey’s account of these negotiations in a letter, dated May +25, is worthy of comparison with the text: “First then when Prinney sent +for Wellesley, the latter began by mentioning some of the Opposition as +persons to be consulted with; to which the former replied: ‘Don’t mention +any names to me _now_, my Lord, but make an Administration for me!’ To +which the other says: ‘In a business of such nicety I trust your Royal +Highness will not press me for time.’ ‘Take your own time,’ says Prinney, +‘tho’ there is not a shilling left in the Exchequer!’” (_The Creevey +Papers._)] + +[139] [In a communication made to Lords Grey and Grenville at Lord Grey’s +house on May 23.] + +[140] [George, third Earl of Egremont (1751-1837). He took little part in +politics, but is justly remembered for the encouragement he gave to every +form of art.] + +[141] I think the Prince Regent wished to stipulate that Lord Wellesley +should be First Lord of the Treasury, but Lord Wellesley declared to +the two Lords in the first communication, and had probably stated to +His Royal Highness beforehand, that he wished to decline that office +and to leave the new Ministry, if formed, to cast the parts among +themselves.—V.H. + +[142] [Sir William Grant (1752-1832), Master of the Rolls from 1801 to +1817.] + +[143] This passage was written in the autumn of 1821. Within three months +the remark was in some senses practically refuted, for Lord Wellesley was +appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, but whether at the suggestion of +Lord Liverpool’s Ministry or with its reluctant and extorted consent, I +cannot determine. March, 1822.—V.H. + +[144] [See _ante_, p. 87.] + +[145] [William Harry, third Earl of Darlington (1766-1842). He was +created Duke of Cleveland in 1833.] + +[146] The Duke of Norfolk, on the first offer, gladly accepted it, and +returning to his house said to Mr. Stephenson, who lived with him, with +some exaltation, “I am Lord Privy Seal.” He afterwards found he had +no Whig, and scarcely any other, colleague; and he was off, relating +on his return home the very next day to the same gentleman, with some +pleasantry, “I am now not Lord Privy Seal.”—V.H. + +[147] [On June 8.] + +[148] [The principal members of the new Government were as follows: Earl +of Liverpool, First Lord of the Treasury; Viscount Castlereagh, Foreign +Secretary; Lord Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty; Earl Bathurst, +Secretary for War and Colonies; Lord Sidmouth, Secretary for Home +Department; Lord Eldon, Lord Chancellor; Lord Harrowby, Lord President of +the Council.] + +[149] [Mr. Stuart Wortley’s motion on May 21 for an efficient +Administration. See _ante_, p. 136.] + +[150] [In 1813.] + +[151] [William Wilberforce (1759-1833), the champion of the Bill for the +Abolition of the Slave Trade, which was passed in 1807.] + +[152] [See _ante_, p. 132.] + +[153] Major a longinquo reverentia.—V.H. + +[154] [War broke out before the news of the repeal of the Orders in +Council reached the United States.] + +[155] [James Stephen (1758-1832), brother-in-law and an active supporter +of Wilberforce in his efforts against the slave trade. A pamphlet +published by him in 1805, entitled _War in Disguise_, is supposed to have +suggested the Orders in Council. He retired from Parliament in 1815, +disgusted at the refusal of the Government to support a bill for the +registration of slaves.] + +[156] [For Lord Holland’s previous attempts to modify the law with +respect to _ex officio_ informations, see _ante_, p. 99.] + +[157] In 1819.—V.H. + +[158] “C’etoit un de mes caprices,” said that great Prince of him at +Elba. He had educated and fostered him like a son, he promoted him like a +favourite, and he was basely betrayed by him at Fontainebleau in 1814. I +remember Sir Lionel Copley, in 1799, defended his suspicions of General +Moreau by a humorous, not to say nonsensical, coincidence: “When there +are prospects of restorations by treachery,” said he, “I do not like a +General whose name begins with an _M_.” What maledictions would he not +have uttered when _M_ar_m_ont and _M_orillo were added to the list of +_M_onk and _M_oreau!—V.H. + +[Marmont, Duke of Ragusa (1774-1852) served in the artillery with +Napoleon, and was his principal aide-de-camp in his Italian campaign of +1796. He reached the rank of Marshal in 1809, being promoted for his +success at Wagram. He defended Paris in 1813 against the Allies while +there was any hope of success, but afterwards went over to the enemy, and +was among the number of those excepted by Napoleon from the amnesty on +his return from Elba.] + +[159] [Lord Wellington had just commenced his lunch, after a morning +spent in fruitless manœuvring, when an important movement on the part of +the French was announced. His practised eye at once took in Marmont’s +faulty dispositions. “By God!” he exclaimed, “that’ll do!” and, hurling +all his available troops at the weak spot, gained a signal victory.] + +[160] [On whom the command of the French troops had devolved.] + +[161] [This was the occasion of the publication of _Rejected Addresses_.] + +[162] [Robert William Elliston (1774-1831), an actor of note, and a +successful manager. He took the management of Drury Lane Theatre in 1819, +and remained until 1826 when obliged by bankruptcy to resign the post.] + +[163] [When the Committee was formed in 1810 to rebuild the theatre, it +was arranged that Sheridan and his family should be bought out. It was +then stipulated that he should “have no concern or connection of any kind +with the new undertaking.” This Sheridan looked on as a matter of form, +and was greatly enraged when Whitbread, as Chairman of the Committee, +rigidly enforced the clause.] + +[164] Sir Robert Wilson* was sent from the army to Alexander, to inform +him that they were resolved to consider any truce or pacification +that he should sign as extorted from him by force or treachery; as +the act of Romanzow,† not of their Sovereign; and they authorised Sir +Robert to convey his opinion to His Imperial Majesty, as that of a +foreign observer, that the army would not obey any orders founded on +a pacification. The result of this and other intimations of the sort +was the dismissal of Romanzow and the adoption of firmer councils. The +Empress Dowager, as well as the Empress, took an opportunity of assuring +Sir Robert Wilson that the Emperor was now determined to abandon all +notion of temporising or yielding, and that he might be depended upon. + +(From conversation with Sir R. Wilson, 1825).—V.H. + +[* Sir Robert Wilson had just satisfactorily concluded a mission to +Constantinople and St. Petersburg dealing with the negotiations for the +re-establishment of peace between Turkey and Russia. He was at that +time attached to the Russian army, with instructions to communicate all +information to Lord Cathcart, the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg.] + +[† Count Nicholas Romanzow (1753-1826) the Russian Chancellor.] + +[165] [See _ante_, p. 102.] + +[166] [William Conyngham Plunket, afterwards first Lord Plunket +(1764-1854), at this time member for Dublin University. Lord Castlereagh +declared that Mr. Plunket’s speech on February 25 dealing with this +question, “would never be forgotten.” He was appointed Lord Chancellor of +Ireland by Lord Grey in 1830.] + +[167] [Gilbert Elliot, afterwards second Earl of Minto (1782-1859)]. + +[168] [Charles Abbot (1757-1829), created Lord Colchester in 1816. He +held the post of Speaker of the House of Commons from 1802 until his +elevation to the peerage.] + +[169] [Lord Morpeth brought a motion in April, 1814, that the address +of the Speaker on the occasion referred to should not be treated as a +precedent; but it was defeated by a large majority. His action, however, +had the desired effect, and since that time no Speaker in his address has +referred to measures which have not been passed by the House of Commons.] + +[170] [Hon. Richard FitzPatrick, second son of John, first Earl of Upper +Ossory, and Evelyn, daughter of John, Earl Gower. He was born in 1748, +and, entering the Army, rose to the rank of General. + +Mr. Creevey, in mentioning his death, says of him, “I thought you might +like to hear these particulars respecting the end of by far the most +clever of the quiet class I have ever seen, and the most perfect judgt. +of any class.”] + +[171] [April to December, 1783. He accompanied the Duke of Portland to +Ireland in 1782.] + +[172] [It is interesting to note that Lord Grenville’s chief objection to +the policy of the Government was, that they were treating the interests +of the East India Company as of the highest importance, whereas he +considered that those of the British Crown should have the foremost +place. He maintained that a public assertion should be made of the +sovereignty of the Crown in India and the power of Parliament to make +laws for the general welfare of that vast country.] + +[173] [See vol. ii. p. 149, in the earlier portion of Lord Holland’s +Memoir. In that year, owing to a report that the Princess had been +delivered of an illegitimate child, a Committee, consisting of Lords +Erskine, Ellenborough, Grenville, and Spencer, with Sir S. Romilly, the +Solicitor-General, as their legal adviser, was appointed to examine into +her conduct. They stated in their report that there was no vestige of +truth in the primary charge, but that in their opinion the levity of +her behaviour on several occasions was worthy of censure. The matter +again came to the front in 1813, owing to the Prince Regent’s refusal in +October of the preceding year to allow the Princess to see her daughter, +although she had gone specially to Windsor for that purpose. Furious at +the insult, she wrote the letters referred to in the text to her husband +and the Speaker of the House of Commons. A debate in that House ensued, +and the letters and papers were referred to a Committee of the Privy +Council, who reported that under the circumstances they considered that +the intercourse between mother and daughter should be regulated and +restricted.] + +[174] [Whitbread.] + +[175] [The Hon. Mrs. Lisle, a lady in attendance on the Princess, and a +witness in the case.] + +[176] Mr. Brougham related to me this and the following facts many years +afterwards, and when he could have no object in deceiving me.—V.H. + +[177] I have questioned persons who attended her medically. The +duties and delicacies of their profession would, of course, prevent +their acknowledging such facts, if ascertained by their professional +attendance, even after her death; but the manner in which such a hint was +received, the official tone of every answer given to my inquiries, the +manifest embarrassment those inquiries occasioned, and the absence of +all direct contradiction or disposition to explode the idea as absurd, +confirmed me in my previous surmises. I have no doubt she was mad.—V.H. + +[178] [At the battle of Navarette in 1367.] + +[179] [Sir George Murray (1772-1846), second son of Sir William Murray, +of Ochtertyre. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1812, and, +entering the House of Commons in 1823, became Secretary of State for the +Colonies in the Duke of Wellington’s Administration of 1828.] + +[180] Mr. Fazakerley, a man of accuracy and veracity, soon after seeing +Napoleon at Elba in 1814 or 1815, related to me the following admission +of that extraordinary man, and has frequently alluded to or repeated +it since. He said that in all prudence he ought to have made peace +immediately after the victories of Bautzen and Lutzen, and before the +great battle of Leipsic. “Mais,” continued he, “je me croyois assez fort +et je me suis trompé. C’etoit là assurément le moment de faire la paix, +aussi l’aurois-je faite si je ne m’avois pas cru plus fort que je ne +l’etois en effet.” A singular admission, especially for one not apt to be +candid in acknowledging his errors.—V.H. + +[181] [Lord Holland is probably mistaken as to the scene of this exploit. +An incident such as is described above certainly took place at the battle +of Lutzen: and the Emperor decorated Wilson with the cross of the Order +of St. George, taken from his own neck, at a review some three weeks +later.] + +[182] [William, Prince of Orange, had fled to England in 1795, after the +occupation of Amsterdam by General Pichegru. A Republican Government +was then established until 1806, when Napoleon forced his brother Louis +on the unwilling people as their King. In 1814 the tide turned against +France (Holland had been annexed by that country in 1813), and the Dutch +rose in revolt. The Prince of Orange was recalled, and was proclaimed +King of Holland and Belgium under the title of William I. The Monarchy +was made hereditary, and a Liberal Constitution was drawn up.] + +[183] [Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838). He quarrelled +with Napoleon in 1808 when Secretary for Foreign Affairs; and after that +time sided secretly with the Bourbons, though he retained his office.] + +[184] [Emmerich-Joseph de Worms, Duc de Dalberg (1773-1833), a friend and +follower of Talleyrand.] + +[185] [Lord Holland gives the same account of these intrigues in his +_Foreign Reminiscences_, p. 297. He there relates that the kind of token +sent to Metternich is uncertain. It was either the ring, a few words in +the Duc de Dalberg’s handwriting enclosed in a button, or a note in Lord +Castlereagh’s writing to the Princesse de Vaudemont, as a proof of his +being confidentially connected with Talleyrand. This latter story was +told him by Lord Goderich in 1833.] + +[186] [Lord Holland somewhat minimises the popular desire, which, +according to other accounts, was manifested in the South for a +restoration of the Bourbons. The Duke of Wellington himself was certainly +in favour of the movement, though in conformity with instructions from +the English Government he refrained from any expression of his personal +views.] + +[187] I had many of the facts, more in detail than here related, directly +from Mr. Gallois,* and indirectly from Dalberg himself; and they were +confirmed or corroborated by the concurrence of other accounts of the +less material facts from several others, and especially Pozzo di Borgo,† +whose interesting relation of these transactions I had heard before +I knew of Vitrolles’s intrigue, with which it was so far from being +inconsistent that it tallied exactly in one main particular, the surprise +of Alexander at finding no concerted plan for the Bourbons on his arrival +at Paris.—V.H. + +[* Jean Antoine Gallois, French politician, and friend of Lord Holland. +He died in 1828.] + +[† Count Pozzo di Borgo (1764-1842), diplomatist; afterwards Russian +Ambassador in England.] + +[188] [Richard Westmacott, R.A. (1775-1856), the eminent sculptor.] + +[189] [Lord Wellington received the news of the events in Paris on +the night of the 11th. The information was brought by Colonel Cooke, +accompanied by a French officer, who had orders to communicate with the +Marshals.] + +[190] [Briefly, the situation was as follows. After the attack of the +Allies on Paris of March 30, Marmont, who was in command of the French +forces, capitulated; and the populace, without Napoleon to lead them, +acquiesced. A provisional Government was proclaimed under the leadership +of Talleyrand; the Emperor was dethroned on April 2; and Louis XVIII. was +made king. In the meanwhile Napoleon himself remained at Fontainebleau. +The army was on his side, but the Marshals were tired of the unequal +combat, and forced him to abdicate in favour of his infant son. This +proposal was refused by the Allies, and under pressure he signed an +unconditional surrender on April 6.] + +[191] Still a hotel in 1825 and formerly a house of Lord Monson’s. The +Houses of York, Stuart, and Bourbon all adopted white as their emblems +and divine hereditary right to the government of their fellow creatures +as their fundamental maxim.* Even English soldiers were permitted to wear +it, a circumstance which provoked the following epigram from the pen of +Mr. Rogers: + + Wear it awhile, against him led, + With your own blood you’ll dye it red. + But had your brave forefathers worn it, + Great Nassau from their brows had torn it.—V.H. + +[* It is a moot point whether divine right can be said to date back +in practice to the Wars of the Roses; though, in theory, Sir Robert +Filmer (1604-1653), a writer well known for his extreme opinions on this +subject, held that the doctrine commenced with the creation of man.] + +[192] Napoleon inserted this just remark afterwards in one of his +proclamations, and felt perhaps a malicious pleasure in using the sarcasm +of Talleyrand against that party to whom he had contributed to betray +him.—V.H. + +[193] [The Slave Trade was the subject of a special clause in the Treaty, +which, however, did not go as far as the enthusiasts on the subject +had hoped. The French King engaged himself to combine with the King +of England, at a future Congress, for general abolition; and in the +meanwhile consented that the trade should cease in French possessions +within five years. Lord Liverpool even offered, at the Congress of +Vienna, to cede the Island of Trinidad as compensation for the French +colonists who believed they would be utterly ruined by an immediate +cessation of the trade.] + +[194] [Wilberforce and his party.] + +[195] I think, on reflection, the King of Prussia only was there that +day.—V.H. + +[Creevey says of this, in a letter dated June 21 (_Creevey Papers_, +vol. i. p. 197): “I hope you admired our little brush last night in the +presence of all the foreign grandees except the Emperor.” + +(The Opposition, knowing that the distinguished visitors were present, +moved a resolution concerning the marriage of Princess Charlotte to the +Hereditary Prince of Orange.).] + +[196] [William, Prince of Orange (1792-1849), son of William I. of +Holland. He was educated in England by Dr. Howley, afterwards Archbishop +of Canterbury, and succeeded to the throne of Holland after his father’s +abdication in 1840. Huish, in his _Memoirs of George IV._ (vol. ii. p. +184), gives the translation of a passage in a German book, published at +Leipsic, entitled, _The History of the Most Extraordinary Events of the +European Courts in the Years 1813-1815_. This entirely bears out Lord +Holland’s statement; though, conversely, the book may be the source of +his information. The Duchess of Oldenburg is mentioned as having been +specially sent over to intrigue against the marriage.] + +[197] [The bag containing the documents and papers representing the case +against Queen Caroline in 1820, which was laid on the table of the House +of Lords.] + +[198] With whom that scheme originated I cannot positively say; but the +Duke and Duchess of York and Lord Anglesey had some hand in promoting +it.—V.H. + +[199] Of Wales.—V.H. + +[200] Lady Jersey gave me the copy of this letter.—V.H. + +[201] [The usual scandal was raked up this year by the fact of two +Drawing-rooms taking place, which were held by the Queen in honour of the +Royal visitors. The Princess signified her intention of being present, +but received a notice from the Queen that it was impossible to give her +leave to do so, owing to the declaration of the Prince Regent that he +would not meet his wife on any occasion either public or private.] + +[202] [An interesting account of the Princess’s flight is given in +_Leaves from the Diary of Henry Greville_. His authority is Madame de +Flahault, who was actually at Warwick House at the time. The Princess was +much perturbed at the news of the Regent’s immediate arrival, but the +first intimation of her departure was ten minutes later, when Madame de +Flahault, while changing her gown, heard a workman in the street exclaim, +“Why, surely, that’s the Princess running down the street.” The Regent, +on his arrival, was furious at her disappearance, and sent Madame de +Flahault and the Bishop of Salisbury in search of the fugitive. They +found her at Connaught Place; but her mother only arrived later from +Blackheath, in response to an urgent message from her daughter. Madame de +Flahault stated that the Princess’s return was mainly due to the advice +of the Duke of York.] + +[203] [Published under the name of _Foreign Reminiscences_, by Henry +Edward, Lord Holland, in 1852.] + +[204] [Termed _Miscellaneous Reminiscences_. See p. 307.] + +[205] [General Charles Richard Fox, who married, in 1824, Lady Mary +FitzClarence, second daughter of William IV. and Mrs. Jordan.] + +[206] How shortsighted are predictions! In three months or less after +writing this, I was invited by Lord Grey to a seat in the Cabinet, +and though, from considerations of health, I declined any more active +employment, I accepted the seals of the Duchy of Lancaster, an office +which brings me in constant and private intercourse with the King, and +which, under so direct and honourable a Prince as William IV., is a +pleasant and easy, as well as an honourable, occupation.—V.H. + +[207] [See _ante_, p. 188. The statement, however, that Alexander would +have been otherwise unable to reach Paris seems an extreme view of the +case. The Allies had won their way to the capital by force of arms, +and whatever decision had been arrived at with regard to the future +government of France, they would have been obliged to occupy the city. +The failure of the Congress of Chatillon was primarily due, not to the +intrigues of the Bourbons, but to the unwillingness of Napoleon to seize +the opportunity of making peace.] + +[208] [Fouché was made Minister of Police in 1800, and later Minister +of the Interior. By siding with all parties of the State as suited +the moment, he continued in power at intervals under both Empire and +Monarchy, until finally exiled as one of the instigators of the death of +Louis XVI. + +This advice from the Duke is corroborated by a letter published by Sir +Herbert Maxwell in his _Life of Wellington_, vol. ii. p. 100.] + +[209] [Sir Herbert Maxwell relates that Louis noticed the rudeness of +Napoleon’s generals who had become Royalists, and mentioned it to the +Duke. His only answer was, “Sire, ils sont si accoutumés à me tourner le +dos, qu’ils n’en ont encore perdu l’habitude.”] + +[210] Lord Ossory, in his commonplace, recording the circumstances of his +death, thus characterises his neighbour: + +“July 6, 1815, was the melancholy termination of the active and useful +(in many respects) life of poor Whitbread. He was a most indefatigable +man, of eminent talents and many virtues. He had a great irritability +of temper, which at last, combined with a natural fulness of blood in +the head, produced the fatal catastrophe. Contradiction made him become +a vehement advocate for Bonaparte. Bedfordshire used to be called +Whitbreadshire, but I deny that he ever governed or ruled me.”—V.H. + +[211] [Mr. Robinson’s bill permitting importation when wheat touched +80_s._ a quarter.] + +[212] [Lord Grey’s motion was as follows: “To institute a further inquiry +relative to the state of the growth, commerce, and consumption of grain, +and the state of the laws relating thereto.” He was supported by Lord +Grenville and others; but the majority of the House was opposed to the +motion, which was defeated by 124 votes to 18.] + +[213] [Concluded with foreign Powers, and dealing with the settlement of +France.] + +[214] Many of them had been ceded by treaty to France, and either some +other article in that treaty or the peace itself which it established had +been in reason and public law an equivalent stipulation in favour of the +party who ceded them. They were resumed or rather taken by force from the +French, after a capitulation or treaty in which there was no stipulation +whatever for their restoration.—V.H. + +[215] [It is only fair to the Duke to state that from other contemporary +records he seems to have endeavoured to restrain the Allies from overdue +harshness in their treatment of Paris. The preservation of the _Pont de +Jéna_ from the destructive intentions of Blucher was chiefly owing to his +representations.] + +[216] He indulged in vulgar abuse of those he had conquered and in sundry +other bad habits so much, when Ambassador in 1814, that the punster at +Paris called him, “My Lord _Vilain ton_.”—V.H. + +[217] [The Duke certainly had no high opinion of Lowe. Compare a +conversation of the Duke and Mr. Creevey on this subject, _Creevey +Papers_, vol. i. 289.] + +[218] At least, so the Black Prince and the English termed him. The +French did not, nor did they so consider Napoleon, whom they had chosen +Consul and Emperor.—V.H. + +[219] [Lord Holland says in his _Foreign Reminiscences_ (p. 194) that +this question was actually discussed at the Congress of Vienna. He +mentions that his authority was an Englishman of veracity, employed at +the Congress, who told it him before the Battle of Waterloo. + +Talleyrand must certainly have raised the point at the Congress, as his +instructions were to make strenuous efforts to obtain the removal of +Napoleon from an island in such close proximity to the shores of France. +The Azores or St. Helena were considered more suitable for insuring the +safety of Europe.] + +[220] [Count Auguste Charles Joseph Flahault, Napoleon’s aide-de-camp in +the Russian campaign and at the battle of Waterloo. His name was removed +by the influence of Talleyrand from the list of proscriptions, but he +remained in England some years, and married Margaret, Baroness Keith and +Nairne. He became French Ambassador in London in 1860, and died ten years +later.] + +[221] I erase _without my knowledge_, for the words convey more than +I mean and more than is strictly true. His Royal Highness did, after +reproaching me for not showing him the protest before I had entered it, +ask me if, consistently with the orders and usages of the House, he could +sign it on the third reading. I, of course, told him that he could refer +in a dissentient to the reasons of a protest on the same subject on the +journals, and he took that course.—V.H. + +[222] [It is interesting to find that Lady Holland writes to Mrs. Creevey +on January 1, 1816: “There is a strong feeling getting up in the country +at our permitting the Capitulation to be broken, altho’ none are sorry +Ney suffered.”] + +[223] [Printed in the _Annual Register_ for 1816. State Papers, p. 378.] + +[224] [Charles, eighth Lord Kinnaird, born in 1780; died in 1826. He +married, in 1806, Lady Olivia Fitzgerald, daughter of the second Duke of +Leinster, and Lord Holland’s cousin.] + +[225] [Antoine Marie, Count de La Valette (1769-1833), aide-de-camp of +Napoleon. He was condemned to death, but escaped to England, with the +help of his wife assisted by Sir Robert Wilson and two other Englishmen.] + +[226] [Neither Ney nor Labedoyère were present in Paris when the +Capitulation was signed.] + +[227] [Afterwards second Earl of Donoughmore. Commander-in-Chief in +Egypt, 1801.] + +[228] Underlined in the above copy.—V.H. + +[229] [Miguel Ricardo d’Alava (1771-1843), a Spanish general who obtained +considerable distinction under Wellington. He was for some years Spanish +representative in Paris.] + +[230] I once asked an East Indian, who knew the details of the +transaction, if his brother, Lord Wellesley, had not raised him from the +ground. “The ground?” replied he, “the mire, the filth. He was lost but +for Wellesley.” The phrase was no doubt too strong, but there must have +been great favour shown to give a colour to such expressions. Subsequent +differences between the brothers may and have occurred, and the conduct +of the elder has probably been offensive and almost intolerable to the +younger; but can it have entirely cancelled such obligations, or justify +the neglect with which he has occasionally been treated? The Duke had +resumed intimate and even cordial habits with him when out of office, but +on his appointment to the Premiership he dropped them entirely.—V.H. + +[231] I have been told of this unamiable trait in his character by +officers who have served under him. His unpopularity with corps that +he has commanded, and especially the Engineers and Artillery, seems to +confirm it.—V.H. + +[232] At the beginning of the French Revolution Castlereagh was a +reformer and even propagandist; he disseminated Payne’s pamphlet in the +North of Ireland.—V.H. + +[233] [The income tax imposed “for and during the continuance of the war, +and no longer.” The Government was defeated by a majority of 37, and the +tax repealed.] + +[234] [See _ante_, p. 45.] + +[235] [Canning was living in Lisbon at the time for the benefit of his +son’s health. Lord Liverpool, learning he was on the spot, pressed him to +take the post of Ambassador Extraordinary, and his offer was accepted.] + +[236] I think I have since heard that £7,000 or £9,000 would have covered +all those that could be legally substantiated.—V.H. + +[Mr. Rae, in his _Biography_, puts the figure at £5,000, and states that +the whole sum was paid by Sheridan’s relations.] + +[237] [Thomas Sheridan (1719-1788).] + +[238] Her maiden name was Chamberlayne.—V.H. + +[239] He assured me, at the same time, that his treatment had created +in his mind such an aversion for the stage, that he had never even seen +a play when he wrote _The Duenna_; that he engaged in that work from +absolute indigence; and that, throughout his life, he had never seen +a representation from beginning to end, except of his own pieces at +rehearsals. I did not think it worth while to repeat these incredible, or +at least exaggerated, stories in the text.—V.H. + +[240] [Samuel Parr (1747-1825), classical scholar, and master at Harrow +School. Several letters written by him describing young Sheridan’s +promise and ability have been published by Moore.] + +[241] Mr. Sheridan has more than once observed to me, with great apparent +sincerity and warm commendation, the astonishing resources of Mr. +Fox’s mind, and the no less astonishing generosity with which he would +frankly impart his thoughts and materials to any speaker of his side. +“He seemed,” said Sheridan, “to exhaust the subject he spoke upon; yet +when he sat down he could, and often did, supply those who came after +him with fresh and excellent matter nearly equal to what he had used, +and quite new to the person about to speak; and, again, from those whose +turn in debate came before him, he never concealed any thought, but on +the contrary would communicate to them most readily the best argument and +even the liveliest illustration that occurred to him in favour of his +view of the question.”—V.H. + +[242] [William Howley (1766-1848), appointed Bishop of London in 1813, +and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1828.] + +[243] [Sir Gilbert Elliot (Lord Minto) writes to Lady Elliot of this +speech: “It was by many degrees the most excellent and astonishing +performance I ever heard, and surpasses all I ever imagined possible in +eloquence and ability.” (_Life and Letters of Sir G. Elliot_, vol. i. p. +123).] + +[244] [See _Memoirs of the Whig Party_, vol. i. p. 34, where many curious +and interesting anecdotes of him are related.] + +[245] [Lord Stanhope left practically the whole of his disposable +property to his executors. The estates devolved on his son and heir. The +rest of the family, however, obtained nothing under the will, on account +of their conduct at the period of Lord Stanhope’s separation from Mr. +Pitt, except such sums as they were entitled to by marriage settlements.] + +[246] [Major John Cartwright (1740-1824), the descendant of an old +Northamptonshire family. He served in the Navy and Militia, and became an +ardent reformer and political pamphleteer.] + +[247] [William Cobbett (1762-1835), political writer and originator of +the _Weekly Political Register_.] + +[248] [Henry Hunt (1773-1835), reformer and orator. Originally a +successful farmer in Wiltshire.] + +[249] “Valentine Day,” and “Post office at Maidstone.”—V.H. + +[250] [The scene here referred to took place during a discussion of the +Alien Bill on December 28, 1792. Burke, who had quarrelled with Fox +over the French Revolution, mentioned that an order had been given at +Birmingham for 3,000 daggers, and, hurling one suddenly on to the floor +of the House, exclaimed, “This is what you are to gain by an alliance +with France.”] + +[251] [Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860), son of Archibald, ninth Earl of +Dundonald, on whose death he succeeded to the titles in 1831.] + +[252] [The Habeas Corpus Act was suspended during the greater part of the +year 1817.] + +[253] I transcribe this book in 1838, and this clause is added to my +sentiment: Burdett’s defection and recurrence to High Tory principles +being in 1837.—V.H. + +[254] [William, fourth Earl Fitzwilliam (1748-1833), Lord-Lieutenant of +Ireland, 1794-1795.] + +[255] [The secret Committee appointed to inquire into the cases which had +occurred of meetings alleged to be dangerous to the public tranquillity.] + +[256] [Horner was only thirty-eight years old when he died.] + +[257] [The book here referred to by Lord Holland was said to be by +Santini—Napoleon’s gamekeeper, haircutter, and tailor. It is in reality +a fabrication, and “was written by Colonel Maceroni, an Anglo-Italian +follower of Murat’s, who has left some readable memoirs.” (Lord +Rosebery’s _The Last Phase_).] + +[258] [Secretary of State for War and the Colonies.] + +[259] Mr. Brougham was particularly averse to meddling with a matter he +deemed so unpalatable to the Court and the country.—V.H. + +[260] [Hugh Fortescue, afterwards second Earl Fortescue (1783-1861).] + +[261] [James Abercromby, afterwards created Lord Dunfermline (1776-1858). +Speaker of the House of Commons, 1835-1839.] + +[262] [Alexander Baring (1774-1848), created Lord Ashburton in 1835.] + +[263] [Carlo Andrea (1764-1842), a Corsican, born at “Pozzo di Borgo,” +near Ajaccio, whence he took his name. He entered the Russian service +after the final capture of Corsica by the French, and was Russian +Ambassador in Paris from 1815 to 1834, when he was transferred to London.] + +[264] [William Hone (1780-1843), writer and bookseller. The work was +written satirically against the Government, and parodied the Church +Catechism, Litany, and Athanasian Creed. He was brought to trial, but was +acquitted on all counts; and was afterwards presented with the sum of +£3,000, raised by public subscription.] + +[265] [Thomas Philip, third Lord Grantham (1781-1859), who succeeded his +maternal aunt in 1833 as Earl de Grey.] + +[266] [In Bedfordshire. The estate was sold at Lady Holland’s death in +1845, and passed into the hands of the Duke of Bedford.] + +[267] [A Bill brought forward to indemnify various persons for +apprehending and restraining those who had taken part in the late +treasonable practices and unlawful assemblies.] + +[268] [The suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act.] + +[269] [Philip Henry, fourth Earl of Stanhope (1781-1855).] + +[270] [The Act in question was one passed by the Scotch Parliament in +1695. It contained a clause, which constituted as naturalised subjects +of Scotland any foreigners who held shares in the Bank of Scotland; and +these were naturalised as English subjects by the terms of the Act of +Union. The _ex post facto_ clause seems to have been moved in the House +of Lords by the Lord Chancellor, and not by Lord Melville, as stated by +Lord Holland.] + +[271] [Pierre Étienne Louis Dumont (1759-1829), Swiss author and tutor to +the third Lord Lansdowne.] + +[272] In Sir Samuel’s MS. Memoir the following passage occurs: “Our +family had been increased and enlivened by two female cousins, the +children of my Uncle Isaac, who had been left orphans by the _premature_ +and almost _sudden death_ of _both_ their parents _within a few days of +each other_.”—V.H. + +[No evidence can be found to support Lord Holland’s statement that Sir +Samuel’s uncle also committed suicide.] + +[273] It has been published in this year, 1840, and edited with great +judgment and taste by his children. The picture of so pure a mind or, +as Lord Jeffreys happily expresses it, such serious sweetness in a +first-rate man, delights everybody.—V.H. + +[274] [Mr. Ponsonby, who had led the party since 1808, died in 1817. +Creevey certainly thought little of Tierney’s chances of success, +and wrote that his life had been in “direct opposition to all Whig +principles.”] + +[275] [William Philip, second Earl of Sefton (1772-1838), who succeeded +to the title on his father’s death in 1795.] + +[276] [John Charles, Viscount Althorp (1782-1845); Chancellor of the +Exchequer, 1830-1834. He became third Earl Spencer in 1834.] + +[277] Mr. Fox, whose fearless and generous nature abhorred all refinement +and suspicion, always undervalued Mr. Tierney’s sagacity, and felt +less confidence than he ought to have done in his professions and +principles.—V.H. + +[278] [The residence of the Duke of Portland.] + +[279] [Afterwards created Earl of Durham.] + +[280] [The meeting was held at Smithfield.] + +[281] [This must be a mistake. The number of people present was probably +about 80,000. From twenty to thirty persons were wounded by sabre cuts, +but the majority of the injuries were received by those who were trying +to escape from the danger, real or imaginary.] + +[282] [Edward Stanley (1779-1849), Bishop of Norwich (1837), and father +of Arthur Stanley, Dean of Westminster.] + +[283] [January 12, 1834.] + +[284] [The Duke of Kent was Commander-in-Chief in British North America, +1799-1800, and Governor of Gibraltar, 1802-1803. His death was caused by +a sudden chill.] + +[285] [Known as the Cato Street Conspiracy. The delinquents made +preparations to murder the whole of the Ministers on February 23, +when they had arranged to dine together at Lord Harrowby’s house in +Grosvenor Square. The plot was, however, divulged before the day, and the +conspirators were arrested by the police and military when on the point +of setting out to achieve their fell purpose.] + +[286] [He died on January 29.] + +[287] [She was not to assume at any time the rank and title of Queen of +England.] + +[288] This was not an unusual practice with him; and as it was not +only in speeches, but in correspondence, paragraphs, and pamphlets +that he resorted to such contrivances, he was for such an effusion of +ink not inaptly compared to the ink fish, who, to elude its pursuers, +environs itself in clouds, or rather floods, of that dark and liquid +composition.—V.H. + +[289] [Early in April Lord Liverpool made the same proposition to +Brougham as is mentioned on the last page, but raising her annual +allowance from £35,000 to £50,000. This proposal, however, does not +seem to have been communicated to the Queen, nor did she hear of it +until it was communicated by Lord Hutchinson, on June 3, at Saint Omer, +when on her way to England. She then entirely refused to consider the +matter, and, continuing her journey, arrived in London on June 7. +Negotiations were at once opened to persuade her to leave the country; +but popular opinion was on her side, and she remained. Early in July +Lord Liverpool brought in a bill in the House of Lords to deprive her +of her prerogatives as Queen of England and to dissolve her marriage, +but, finding it injudicious to persevere, dropped the whole affair in +November.] + +[290] [Garter King-of-Arms.] + +[291] [This Constitution was drawn up by the Spanish Cortes, in session +at Cadiz in 1810-1812. Its aim and object was to limit the power of the +Crown, and the deputies by their action showed their determination, +without any actual disloyalty to the House of Bourbon, to strictly limit +Ferdinand’s power whenever he was successful in regaining the throne. +On his return to Spain in 1814, Ferdinand’s first act as King was to +dissolve the Cortes and abrogate the Constitution, promising another in +its stead. The promise, however, was never carried out, and, with all +the old Royalist abuses springing up on every side, a veritable reign of +terror ensued. In 1820 the standard of revolt was raised in Cadiz, and +the movement spread throughout the country. The King at once gave way and +restored the Constitution in its original form.] + +[292] [On the occasion of the “Massacre of Peterloo.”] + +[293] [A bill to disfranchise the borough of Grampound, on account of the +gross corruption which had there taken place.] + +[294] [John Pike Jones (1790-1857). He obtained the living of Alton, +Staffordshire, in the gift of Lord Shrewsbury.] + +[295] [Hon. Shute Barrington (d. 1826).] + +[296] [Sir Matthew Wood (1768-1843), son of a serge-maker in Tiverton. +Lord Mayor of London, 1815-16, and 1816-17. He was one of those who +rendered pecuniary assistance to the Duke and Duchess of Kent and was +made a Baronet by Queen Victoria soon after her accession.] + +[297] [“By this Act, none of the descendants of George II., unless of +foreign birth, can marry under the age of twenty-five, without the +consent of the King; at and after that age, after twelve months’ notice +given to the Privy Council, they may contract such marriage, which shall +be good unless both Houses of Parliament shall disapprove.” (Hadyn’s +_Dictionary of Dates_).] + +[298] [Sir John Leach (1760-1834), appointed Vice-Chancellor of England, +1818, and Master of the Rolls, 1827.] + +[299] See his _Letter to a Constituent_, p. 537 of Chronicle, in _Annual +Register_, 1820.—V.H. + +[300] [Charles Greville says: “The military in London have shown alarming +symptoms of dissatisfaction, so much so that it seems doubtful how far +the Guards can be counted upon in case of any disturbance arising out of +this subject.”] + +[301] An account of my conversations with Sir John Leach in June, +1820, may be found in a letter from me to Lord Grey, dated Holland +House June 12, 1820, and a copy of it should be kept among the _Pièces +Justificatives_ of this work.—V.H. [See Appendix C.] + +[302] [Charles Greville (_Reign of George IV._, vol. i. p. 43) says: +“_February 7._—The King went to the play last night (Drury Lane) for the +first time, the Dukes of York and Clarence and a great suite with him. +He was received with immense acclamations, the whole pit standing up, +hurrahing, and waving their hats.... A few people called out ‘the Queen,’ +but very few.”] + +[303] [Sir Arthur Pigott (1752-1819), Attorney-General, 1806-1807. He +died on September 6, 1819.] + +[304] The _tibia_ in Negroes is said to be slight and slender; and the +_os calcis_ long.—V.H. + +[305] [Those of Hardy, Horne Tooke, Stone, and others, for conspiracy to +raise a rebellion.] + +[306] [A prospective and retrospective clause to prevent the annulling of +marriages on slight informalities previous to the solemnisation. (_Annual +Register_, 1820).] + +[307] [The Revolution at Naples, fostered by the secret society of +the _Carbonari_, attained its object without serious difficulty. King +Ferdinand, who had been restored in 1815, accepted the Constitution +as proposed to him, though in a letter to the Emperor of Austria he +protested that he had done so under constraint. + +The Portuguese Royal Family were still in the Brazils; and the rising +planned to obtain an amendment of the Constitution took place at Oporto +in 1820. It is worthy of note that Marshal Beresford and the other +English officers who had assisted the Portuguese against the French were +sent out of the country. + +The Treaty of the Holy Alliance had been concluded during the +negotiations for the second Treaty of Paris in 1815, at the instance of +the Czar of Russia. The other signatories were the Emperor of Austria +and the King of Prussia, their object being to maintain the peace of +Europe by a system of collective diplomatic pressure and intervention. +Great Britain had refused to become a party to the Treaty, as her +representatives, though cordially concurring in the desirability of these +views, considered them visionary and impracticable.] + +[308] Chronicle, _Annual Register_ of 1820, p. 537.—V.H. [Also see +_ante_, p. 286.] + +[309] [The _New Monthly Magazine_.] + +[310] [The first meeting of the three great Powers composing the +Holy Alliance took place at Troppau in October, 1820. The sovereigns +circulated a manifesto to the great European Powers stating their views +on intervention, and invited the King of Naples to meet them at Laybach. +The Congress was held in January, 1821, and Lord Stewart, the British +Ambassador at Vienna, represented Great Britain. King Ferdinand, whose +absence from Naples was only permitted on condition that he renewed his +oath to preserve the Constitution, renounced all his engagements on his +arrival at Laybach. The Congress decided to restore the King by means +of an Austrian army, and successfully carried out their design. Great +Britain and France remained neutral on this occasion, but issued no +protest against the action of the Powers.] + +[311] [Charles William, third Marquess of Londonderry (1778-1854), +half-brother of Lord Castlereagh. No mention is made by Sir Archibald +Alison of his absence from Laybach.] + +[312] [Sir Robert Gordon (1791-1847), diplomatist, son of George, Lord +Haddo, and brother of George Hamilton, fourth Earl of Aberdeen.] + +[313] [The Russian Ambassador in England.] + +[314] [_Foreign Reminiscences._] + +[315] [Lord Holland published in 1822 Horace Walpole’s _Memoirs of the +Last Ten Years of the Reign of George II._, and prepared his _Memoirs of +the First Ten Years of George III._ This latter work was published after +his death by Sir Denis Le Marchant in 1845.] + +[316] The elder brother of that famous wit, courtier, and infidel, who is +satirised by Pope under the names of Sporus and Lord Fanny, who fought +a duel with Pulteney, corresponded with Mr. Middleton about the Roman +Senate, was a favourite of Queen Caroline, and died 1749.—V.H. [He died +in 1743.] + +[317] [An Etonian publication, which was first brought out in 1786. The +chief contributors were Bobus Smith, Canning, and Hookham Frere. See p. +314.] + +[318] [Joseph Goodall (1760-1840): Assistant Master at Eton, 1783; +Headmaster, 1801; and Provost, 1809.] + +[319] [William Hayward Roberts, D.D; appointed Provost of Eton in 1781, +and died in 1791.] + +[320] For a long time Resident Senior Fellow of King’s College. He had +taken an active part in the Chatterton controversy, and maintained to +the last the authenticity of the poems. I knew nothing of him but his +appearance. That was not prepossessing. He had the reputation of a +saturnine and sarcastic wit, but was known by his intimates to conceal a +very warm heart under that rugged exterior. He it was who said of Porson, +that it was “a pity so much wit should be in a fool’s keeping.” Mr. Smith +(Bobus) related an incident which occurred when he was sitting with +him in his study at King’s, and which, as it illustrates his whimsical +character and at the same time redounds to his credit, may be worth +repeating. They heard a strange noise and clacking on the staircase, +which, when followed by a knock at the door, greatly discomposed the +morose old bachelor. However, he exclaimed with a resolute voice, “Come +in,” and an ill-dressed old country-woman, with a magpie on her wrist, +made her appearance. Glynn, it seemed, from charity had frequently, and +ultimately with success, visited her sick daughter gratis at a distance +from Cambridge, and the grateful old goody had trudged over from the fens +with the only remuneration her slender means could supply, _viz._, “her +favourite magpie.” The studious Doctor was appalled at the prospect of +so troublesome an inmate, and yet unwilling to mortify the kind feelings +that had brought him. So, after sundry gesticulations and grotesque +exclamations of “Pretty Meg,” “Charming bird indeed,” he archly and +good-humouredly said, “Thank ye, Dame, thank ye from the bottom of my +heart. I like the bird vastly; I enjoy the present exceedingly. And now +I’ll tell you what you shall do; you shall board it for me at half a +crown a week, for I know you will take care of it, and mind you do: but I +should be called out to my patients and neglect it.”—V.H. + +[Robert Glynn (1719-1800), physician. He was a firm believer in the +authenticity of the _Rowley Poems_, and bequeathed the originals, at his +death, to the British Museum. These poems are now undisputably known +to be the work of Thomas Chatterton, the youthful genius who poisoned +himself at the early age of eighteen in despair at his poverty and the +ill success of his forged essays and verses.] + +[321] William Barford, D.D. (d. 1792) + +[322] Dr. George, however, seems to have been an elegant scholar, and a +good writer of Greek and Latin verse. Some of the best specimens in the +_Musa Anglicana_ and _Musæ Etonenses_ are, if I recollect right, of his +composition. In one addressed to the Prince of Wales, + + Tu destinatus imperare liberis + Parere primum, + +are lines happily imitated from the Greek adage, + + οὐκ ἔστιν ἄρχειν, μὴ ἀρχθέντα: + +a maxim Dryden might have introduced in a tragedy and rhymed thus, + + “Stoop then to rise; Ambition’s sons, they say, + Are taught to rule by learning to obey.”—V.H. + +[William George, D.D., Headmaster of Eton; and Provost of King’s College, +Cambridge, in 1743. He died in 1756. His wife was Miss Bland, daughter of +his predecessor at Eton. + +Lord Holland’s quotation is obscure, and is, besides, scarcely legible. +It is suggested that ἄρχε πρῶτον μυθὼν ἄρχεσθαι was the line which he had +in mind.] + +[323] [Lord Henry Spencer (1770-1795), second son of George, fourth Duke +of Marlborough, and Lady Caroline Russell, daughter of John, fourth Duke +of Bedford.] + +[324] He died, Deputy-Paymaster of the Navy, in 1827.—V.H. + +[325] [Robert Percy Smith (1770-1845), eldest son of Robert Smith, a +London merchant, and Maria Olier, the daughter of a French refugee. He +married in 1797, Caroline, daughter of Richard Vernon and Evelyn, first +Countess of Upper Ossory. Their son, Robert Vernon Smith, was created +Lord Lyveden. Lord Holland’s mother, Lady Mary Fitzpatrick, was a +daughter of Lady Upper Ossory by her first marriage.] + +[326] Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Greeks in insurrection when +this was written in 1826.—V.H. + +[327] [William Robertson (1721-1793), Principal of Edinburgh University +until 1792.] + +[328] [Hon. Henry Erskine (1746-1817), second son of Henry David, tenth +Earl of Buchan. Lord Advocate in 1783 and 1806. Second brother to Lord +Buchan and elder brother of Lord Erskine, whom he greatly resembled, +and nearly equalled both in his genius and his foibles. He was almost +as vain; in vivacity of parts, suavity of manners, and playfulness of +fancy fully equal to him; and in forensic talents and eloquence, though +inferior, very like him.—V.H.] + +[329] [Thomas Warton, the younger (1728-1790). Poet Laureate from 1785. +He wrote _A History of English Poetry to the End of the Sixteenth +Century_.] + +[330] [Henry Kett (1761-1825). Appointed a fellow of Trinity College in +1784. He drowned himself in a fit of depression, to which he was subject.] + +[331] [William Crowe (1745-1829), poet and divine. Son of a Winchester +carpenter.] + +[332] [As Chancellor of Oxford University.] + +[333] [John Sibthorp (1758-1796).] + +[334] [Cyril Jackson (1746-1819), Dean of Christ Church, 1783-1809. +He declined preferment to a bishopric, which was on several occasions +offered to him.] + +[335] [William Jackson (1751-1815), Bishop of Oxford, 1812-1815.] + +[336] [Thomas Beddoes (1760-1808), physician. He resigned his post of +Reader in Chemistry at Oxford in 1792, partly owing to his sympathy with +the French Revolution.] + +[337] He published a pamphlet with his name, in which he denominated +tithes, and I believe the Church establishment, a remnant of Popery; and +he did not conceal his earnest wishes and expectations of seeing them +suppressed.—V.H. + +[338] [John Ingenhousz (1730-1799), physician. Born at Breda, and came to +England about 1765. He was an intimate friend of the first Marquess of +Lansdown, and died while on a visit to Bowood.] + +[339] [The first Lord Lansdown always signed his name without a terminal +_e_, the spelling adopted by his successors.] + +[340] [Samuel Parr (1747-1825), son of a Harrow apothecary, and a master +at the school. He left there in 1771, from pique because the governors +refused to appoint him headmaster, in succession to Dr. Sumner. He set up +for himself, and afterwards took the living of Hatton in Warwickshire, +and kept private pupils. Many of his letters are preserved at Holland +House.] + +[341] [Martin Joseph Routh (1755-1854), President of Magdalen College +from 1791 until his death.] + +[342] Dr. Parr was well aware of the characteristic caution of the head +of our college, and of the college itself. “When I leave my card at the +Deanery,” said he, “I shall write on it, + + “Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua”; + +and, speaking of the whole society, he often said, “Litus amant.” It +must be owned that the fate of the little _Phalaris_* bark, which they +launched at the close of the preceding century, was enough to deter them +from a second venture. It was prudent to lay up their great vessels if +they had any in ordinary.—V.H. + +[* _The Epistles of Phalaris_, said to have been written by Phalaris, +tyrant of Agrigentum in Sicily. The scholars of Christ Church determined +at the end of the seventeenth century to publish a new edition of these +letters, upholding their genuineness, and entrusted the task to Charles +Boyle, afterwards fourth Earl of Orrery. His work was attacked by Richard +Bentley, who proved conclusively the weakness of the case.] + +[343] [Joseph White (1745-1814), theologian and orientalist; Laudian +Professor of Arabic, 1775-1814. + +He tried to obtain the return of his letters, after Samuel Badcock’s +death, from the latter’s sister. This request was refused, and the matter +obtained publicity from the unwillingness of White to meet a bond for +£500 found among the papers.] + +[344] Of his _simplicity_, especially in money matters, many ludicrous +and even incredible stories were recounted.—V.H. + +[345] Canonry of Christ Church and Hebrew Professorship.—V.H. + +[346] I am not sure that he did so much in virtue of his office of +beadle; by profession the man was a barber.—V.H. + +[347] [A Latin preface to a new edition of three treatises by William +Bellenden (d. 1633), into which he infused a political current, by +dedicating it to the _tria lumina Anglorum_—Burke, Fox, and North, and by +denouncing the leading men of the other party.] + +[348] [Richard Porson (1759-1808). Born of humble parents, his marvellous +memory as a child attracted early notice, and he was sent to Eton on the +Foundation. A fund was specially raised to maintain him at Cambridge, +where he was entered at Trinity College. He was elected Regius Professor +of Greek at Cambridge in 1792.] + +[349] The King of Clubs, instituted by some lawyers and men of letters. +Among its founders were Mr. Robert Percy Smith, Sir Samuel Romilly, Mr. +Rogers, Mr. Dumont, Mr. Sharp,* and Mr. Whishaw.† It lasted near twenty +years, but expired soon after the death of Sir Samuel Romilly, who was +more constant in his attendance than Mr. Sydney Smith, Mr. Brougham, and +other persons of eminence who had been chosen members thereof.—V.H. + +[The club was first instituted about the year 1801.] + +[* Richard Sharp (1759-1835), known as “Conversation Sharp.”] + +[† John Whishaw, Secretary to the African Association.] + +[350] I do not insert it, for in all probability it has been or will be +printed elsewhere.—V.H. + +[Porson, who had been elected a fellow of Trinity, was obliged by the +statutes to resign his fellowship within seven years unless he had +taken orders. This he was unwilling to do, and when he applied to Dr. +Postlethwaite, the Master of Trinity, for one of the lay fellowships +which would enable him to remain a fellow, his request was refused. +On the Greek Professorship becoming vacant in 1792, Dr. Postlethwaite +wrote urging Porson to become a candidate. The latter, thinking he would +be obliged to sign the Thirty-nine Articles, at first refused, but on +finding out his mistake, came forward, and was unanimously elected. One +of the passages in the letter referred to by Lord Holland is: “The same +reason which hindered me from keeping my fellowship by the method you +obligingly pointed out, would, I am afraid, prevent me from being Greek +Professor.”] + +[351] His birth and family were very humble indeed. Mr. Rogers, who is +so uniformly accurate that one can quote his conversation as testimony +to a fact, says he is pretty confident that his father was a sexton or +gravedigger in one of the Eastern counties in England.—V.H. + +[His father, a worsted weaver by trade, was parish clerk at East Ruston, +near North Walsham, Norfolk.] + +[352] [These “letters” were the result of Porson’s researches in divinity +at the period when he was seeking to make up his mind about taking holy +orders. George Travis (1741-1797), Archdeacon of Chester, in his _Letter +to Gibbon_, had upheld the genuineness of the text, 1 St. John v. 7; but +his conclusions were ruthlessly pulled to pieces by Porson’s superior +reasoning.] + +[353] If one added to the list such names as Hooker, Newton, Locke, +Tillotson, Middleton, Paley, and Low, one should not perhaps vary +materially from the judgment formed of those writers’ opinions by the +respective champions of the two doctrines; though, in direct words, none +of them have avowed, and some have distinctly denied, all doubts of the +Trinity. They are not, however, such Trinitarians as exclude Arians or +even Socinians from the pale of Christianity.—V.H. + +[354] [Thomas, seventh Earl of Elgin (1766-1841), Ambassador to the Porte +from 1799 to 1803, and collector of the “Elgin Marbles,” now in the +British Museum.] + +[355] [Joseph Dacre Carlyle (1759-1804), chaplain to the mission.] + +[356] [Richard Wooddeson, the younger (1745-1822); fellow of Magdalen +College and Vinerian Professor, 1777-1793.] + +[357] [Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780).] + +[358] [Thomas Francis Wenman (1745-1796); Fellow of All Souls College, +and Regius Professor, 1789-1796.] + +[359] [John Robison (1739-1805). Elected Lecturer on Chemistry at Glasgow +in 1766, and described by Sir James Mackintosh as one of the greatest +mathematical philosophers of his age.] + +[360] He added that an Oriental scholar from Hungary or Bohemia had been +invited to decipher the Arabic MSS., as no resident Oxonian was equal +to that duty; and that the poor foreigner, after sundry vexations and +indignities, and notwithstanding his laborious execution of his task, was +unhandsomely dismissed without sufficient remuneration either in money or +in fame. I have forgotten the man’s name, but I think it was “Uri.”—V.H. + +[361] [Thomas Hornsby (1733-1810); Fellow of Corpus Christi College and +appointed Savilian Professor of Astronomy in 1763.] + +[362] [John Randolph, D.D. (1749-1813). He held many professorships at +the University before becoming Bishop of Oxford in 1799; became Bishop +of Bangor in 1807, and of London in 1809. It is related that most of his +divinity lectures were delivered by candlelight, and though notes were to +be taken, his supposed listeners were usually asleep.] + +[363] [John Grosvenor (1742-1823), proprietor and editor of the _Oxford +Journal_. He was admitted to the privileges of the University in 1768.] + +[364] [Sir Christopher Pegge (1765-1822), appointed Regius Professor of +Physic in 1801.] + +[365] [Sir Henry Halford (1766-1844), son of Dr. James Vaughan. He +changed his name on inheriting a large property in 1809. He practised in +London, and was made a baronet by George III., whom he attended, as well +as George IV., William IV., and Queen Victoria.] + +[366] On one of those occasions, in commending the younger students for +their diligence and exhorting them to persevere in it, his phraseology, +pure and Ciceronian as it was, exposed him to the saucy waggery of some +punsters, for he began one of his earnest paragraphs with these words, +“_Pergite_, Adolescentes, _Pergite_, inquam, Adolescentes.”—V.H. + +[367] It would be uncharitable to attribute the selection of Glasgow +to any persuasion in the testator’s mind that the Northern University +had fewer scruples than its neighbours, when anything was to be got by +concealing or overruling them. There is, however, a story current that a +Mr. Zachary Boyd once left a valuable collection of MSS. to that Learned +Body, on condition that a Bible in doggerel verse of his composition +should always lie on the table of the library. The translation was not, +indeed, in intention a _travesty_, but it had all the effect of one. The +University was sorely perplexed between a due reverence for the sacred +writings and an unwillingness to forego a valuable legacy. At length +they hit upon an expedient by which they hoped to secure the bequest, +spare their students and visitors the scandal of seeing the scripture in +so unbecoming a garb, and yet adhere to the letter of the conditions. +They nailed the book to the table, enclosed it in a heavy wooden binding +with ponderous clasps; and if they did not prohibit, discouraged all +examination of it, as well as resorted to every artifice to prevent its +attracting any notice whatever.—V.H. + +[368] [John Hunter (1728-1793), the celebrated surgeon and anatomist. +Born in Lanarkshire, he first practised cabinet-making in Glasgow, but +at the age of twenty went to London, where he commenced his studies in +anatomy. He took part in Keppel’s expedition to Belleisle in 1761, and +was appointed Surgeon-Extraordinary to George III. in 1776.] + +[369] [He was flatly contradicted by one of his colleagues when speaking +at a board meeting at St. George’s Hospital. He retired to an adjoining +room, where he almost immediately fell dead.] + +[370] [Johann Gaspar Lavater (1741-1801), the famous physiognomist, and +a minister at Zurich. He was wounded during the capture of that town by +Massena in 1799, and died from the effects.] + +[371] [John Baker Holroyd, first Earl of Sheffield (1735-1821), who +edited Gibbon’s _Miscellaneous Works_ and _Memoirs_.] + +[372] [In 1779. The remaining lines of the stanza are: + + Thought no way so sure + His pen to secure, + As to give the historian a place. + +Wraxall says that, notwithstanding Lord Holland’s contradiction of the +fact, he always understood that the verses were of Mr. Fox’s composition.] + +[373] So Sheridan told me, but Lord John Townshend assures me it is a +mistake,* and that Mr. Fox, anxious to make Sheridan’s acquaintance, +prevailed upon Lord John to give them a dinner at the St. Albans Tavern, +where these two great orators met one another for the first time.—V.H. + +* “Jack Townshend called it by a coarser name,” one which I am afraid he +has never much scruple in applying to Mr. Sheridan’s assertions.—V.H. + +[374] Query: _’Tis scarcely odds_.—V.H. + +[375] [At Winchester.] + +[376] His bust is placed among those of the friends of Mr. Fox in the +Temple of Liberty at Woburn Abbey.—V.H. + +[377] [It is related that Fox, when receiving congratulations on his +first speech in Parliament, remarked, “Wait until you hear Hare.”] + +[378] [William Mitford (1744-1827).] + +[379] [William Coxe (1747-1828), fellow of King’s College, Cambridge.] + +[380] [_Memoirs of the Administrations of Henry Pelham._] + +[381] [John Douglas, D.D. (1721-1807); Bishop of Carlisle, 1787-1791; +and of Salisbury, 1791-1807. He was the origin of the discovery of the +forgeries of William Lauder, who accused Milton of imitating the works +of the seventeenth-century Latin poets, and who, to prove his case, had +produced garbled and inaccurate quotations.] + +[382] [Thomas Burgess, D.D. (1756-1837); Bishop of St. David’s; +1803-1825; and of Salisbury, 1825-1837.] + +[383] [William Scott, Lord Stowell (1745-1836), son of a coal-merchant +in Newcastle. Barrister; and Judge of the High Court of the Admiralty, +1798-1828. He was knighted in 1788, and was raised to the peerage in +1821. His friendship with Dr. Johnson dated back to their Oxford days.] + +[384] [The original Literary Club, or “The Club,” founded in 1763, +and held at the Turk’s Head, Gerrard Street, Soho, till 1783. It was +originally a weekly supper, but after 1772 it became a fortnightly dinner +during the Parliamentary Session. Late in 1783 Dr. Johnson formed another +club, held at the Essex Head in Essex Street.] + +[385] Miss Mary Palmer (1750-1820), niece of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who +married, in 1792, Murrough, first Marquess of Thomond. Sir Walter +Armstrong, in his _Life of Sir Joshua Reynolds_, states that the +_Dialogue_ was first printed privately in 1816. + +[386] The story is told of Annibal Caracci; and if Sir Joshua said it, as +I have been often assured he did, he stole it from the same biographical +account of that painter.—V.H. + +[387] [The picture is at Petworth, and belongs to Lord Leconfield.] + +[388] George III.—V.H. + +[389] [Lord Holland probably refers to an exhibition of Hogarth’s +pictures held in the Gallery of the British Institution in 1814, +succeeding one of the works of Sir Joshua Reynolds’ in the preceding +year.] + +[390] Yet with all its defects it is a well-coloured (piece) picture. + +To the reader of my MS., perhaps the double sense of my original word in +the above note made it a more correct description of the work, but for +that very reason I expunge it.—V.H. + +[The picture is now in the National Gallery, to which it was bequeathed, +in 1879, by Mr. J. H. Anderdon. Hogarth attempted to follow the lines of +Correggio in the composition.] + +[391] [Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828). He was born of +humble parents in a small village in Aragon, and never studied painting +till after the age of sixteen. He spent some years in Rome, and returned +to Spain in 1774.] + +[392] [Don Gaspar Melchior de Jovellanos (1744-1811), statesman and +poet. He was a member of the Supreme Junta during the first years of the +Peninsular War, and took an active part in the direction of operations +against the French. Joseph, when King of Spain, offered him the post of +Minister, which he refused.] + +[393] [Antonio Josef Cavanilles (1744-1804). He went to Paris with the +Spanish Ambassador in 1777, and remained twelve years in France.] + +[394] [Alleyne Fitzherbert (1753-1839), created Lord St. Helens in 1791. +Ambassador at Madrid, 1791-1794.] + +[395] [Antonio Canova (1757-1822), the celebrated sculptor, born at +Passagno, near Venice.] + +[396] [François Xavier Fabre (1766-1837), a French painter of portraits +and historical subjects. He lived almost entirely in Italy until 1826, +when he returned to his native town of Montpellier, where he died. +Several of his pictures are preserved at Holland House, including a +portrait of Lord Holland, painted in 1796.] + +[397] [Louise de Stolberg-Goedern, Countess D’Albany (1753-1824), widow +of Prince Charles Edward, “the young Pretender.” She lived for many years +at Florence with Alfieri, the celebrated dramatist and poet, but seems +never to have married him. After his death in 1803 she became attached to +Fabre, and by her will left him everything she had.] + +[398] [John Flaxman (1755-1826), sculptor and draughtsman.] + +[399] [Lazaro Spallanzani (1729-1799), naturalist, and director of the +Museum at Pavia.] + +[400] [Aloisio Galvani (1737-1798), the discoverer of the action of +electricity on the muscles of the human frame—a power called after his +name. A native of Bologna, he became professor of that university in +1762, and remained until 1790, when he was deprived of his post because +he refused, from religious scruples, to take the oath prescribed by the +Cisalpine Republic.] + +[401] [Fontana was born in 1730, and died at Florence in 1805. He was +appointed Professor of Philosophy at Pisa by the Grand Duke Francis, but +was recalled by the Grand Duke Leopold to Florence, and placed at the +head of the Natural History Museum.] + +[402] [Giovanni Fabroni (1752-1822), who succeeded Fontana as Director. +He was appointed Overseer of the Roads and Bridges, by Napoleon, and to +him is due the commencement of the Corniche road.] + +[403] [Giuseppe Parini (1729-1799), a native of Milan, whose chief work +was _Il Giorno_, a satire.] + +[404] [Vincenzo Monti (1754-1828), Italian lyric poet and dramatist.] + +[405] [Juan Andrès (1740-1817).] + +[406] [Girolamo Tiraboschi (1731-1794), an Italian author, who published +a _History of Italian Literature_, etc.] + +[407] [Melchiore Cesarotti (1730-1808), Italian poet and professor of +Greek and Hebrew at Padua. He translated _Ossian_ into Italian blank +verse.] + +[408] [William Roscoe (1753-1831), historian. Member of Parliament for +Liverpool, 1806-1807, in the Whig interest.] + +[409] [Horace Walpole.] + +[410] [James Currie, M.D. (1756-1805). Originally a native of +Dumfriesshire, he emigrated to Virginia and spent seven years of his +life in America. He studied medicine at Edinburgh with the intention +of returning across the seas; but hearing that a doctor was wanted in +Liverpool, he settled there in 1780.] + +[411] [William Shepherd (1768-1847), Dissenting minister of Gateacre, +near Liverpool, and author of a _Life of Poggio Bracciolini_.] + +[412] [Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775-1818), son of a large land-owner in +Jamaica. He was for a short time attaché at the Hague, where he wrote +_The Monk_; and sat in the House of Commons 1792-1802. Sir Walter +Scott said of his verses, “He had the finest ear for rhythm I ever met +with—finer than Byron’s.”] + +[413] [Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), physician. Grandfather of the more +celebrated Charles Darwin. He married, as his second wife, the widow of +Colonel Chandos-Pole, of Radbourne Hall, Derbyshire, where he lived for +some years. He died quite suddenly of heart disease.] + +[414] [William Godwin, the elder (1756-1836), philosopher and novelist. +He married, in 1797, Mary Wollstonecraft, the authoress, who died the +same year. _The Adventures of Caleb Williams_, a novel, was one of his +best-known works.] + +[415] [John Curran (1750-1817), the Irish orator and judge.] + +[416] [Thomas Holcroft (1745-1809), son of a London shoemaker, who +fell into difficulties and turned pedlar. Young Holcroft accompanied +his father on his wanderings, and became a stable-boy at Newmarket at +the age of thirteen. Returning to London, he worked for some time at +the shoemaking trade, which he then abandoned for the stage. He began +to contribute articles to the newspapers about the same time, and to +write plays with some success, _The Road to Ruin_ being his best-known +composition. He became deeply imbued with the principles of the French +Revolution, and was indicted, in 1794, with Thomas Hardy and others, for +high treason; but his case was dismissed without a trial. He was four +times married.] + +[417] [James Kenney (1780-1849). He married Holcroft’s widow, not his +daughter.] + +[418] [A weekly review founded by Canning in 1797. _The Needy +Knife-grinder_ was also the joint production of Canning and Frere.] + +[419] [Robert Southey (1774-1843), the poet and historian.] + +[420] [Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey (1773-1850), Scottish judge, and +editor of _The Edinburgh Review_ from 1803 to 1829.] + +[421] Bayle, in speaking of too great a fastidiousness or apprehension of +coming before the public, says, “Ce defaut n’est pas fort commun parmi +les auteurs et néanmoins on peut dire qu’à certains égards _il ne l’est +que trop_; car pour l’ordinaire ce ne sont pas les mauvais auteurs ou les +écrivains médiocres qui en sont coupables, ce sont _les plus excellentes +plumes_”: and surely the productions of nine or ninety-nine bad or +middling works is not so serious an evil to the public as the suppression +of one excellent or useful one.—V.H. + +[422] [“Tenui Musam meditamur avena.”] + +[423] [Richard Payne Knight (1750-1820), the celebrated antiquarian and +collector of coins.] + +[424] This name must be omitted in any copy likely to be read before Lord +Strangford’s death.—V.H. + +[Bartholomew Frere (1778-1851) was a younger brother of John Hookham +Frere. He was Minister Plenipotentiary _ad interim_ in Spain 1809-1810, +and Secretary of Legation at Constantinople for some years.] + +[425] Is it possible that, in this instance also, Brougham secretly and +maliciously conveyed to the object of the invective, that not he, but +the person who had in truth remonstrated against it, was the author? +I have no ground for a suspicion, but the mischief and fun of such a +manœuvre would not be out of character, nor a solitary instance of his so +indulging his malice or revenge.—V.H. + +[426] [_Poems from the Portuguese of Camoëns, with Remarks and Notes._] + +[427] [George Lamb (1784-1834), brother of Lord Melbourne.] + +[428] 1836. The manner in which this impression was effaced through the +kind offices of Mr. Rogers, ever active in promoting reconciliations +between his friends, is related elsewhere in my writings, and will, if +this chapter be ever finished, be in all probability again alluded to and +explained.—V.H. [See _ante_, p. 122.] + +[429] [These _Observations_ were written by Lord Strangford in refutation +of certain statements of Colonel William Napier’s in his _History of the +Peninsular War_; and Colonel Napier issued a pamphlet in answer upholding +his view of the case.] + +[430] Lord Strangford’s _Observations_, pp. 5, 6.—V.H. + +[431] _Ibid._ pp. 10, 20, 22.—V.H. + +[432] [Charles Lloyd (1735-1773), Private Secretary to George Grenville, +and the writer of several political pamphlets in his patron’s interests. +Lord North certainly at one time entertained suspicions that Lloyd was +the author of the _Junius Letters_.] + + + + +INDEX + +_The figures in italics refer to the notes only_ + + + Abbot, Charles, Speaker (afterwards Lord Colchester), and Catholic + Emancipation, 170 + + Abercromby, James (afterwards Lord Dunfermline), 257 + + Aberdeen, Earl of, 303 + + Adair, Sir Robert, 75 + + Adam, William, Attorney-General to Prince of Wales, 26, 90, 110 + + Alava, General, 229 + + Albemarle, Lord, 404 + + Albuera, victory of, 68 + + Alcudia, Manuel de Godoy, Duke of (“Prince of the Peace”), 19 + + Alexander I., Emperor of Russia, 2, 3; + visit to England, 155, 196; + his want of firmness, 166, 167; + popularity, 196; + in Paris, 212; + and Lord Holland, 303 + + Alien Bill, 249, _252_, 262, 299 + + Allen, Dr. John, 53, 76 + + Althorp, Lord, 28, 265 + + Amelia, Princess, her death, 61, 67 + + Ampthill, 259 + + Andrea, Carlo (Pozzo di Borgo), _191_, 258, 304 + + Andrès, Juan, 374 + + Anglesey, Lord, _199_, 246 + + Angoulême, Duke d’, 187, 192 + + _Annual Register_, _37_, _98_, _103_, _117_, _119_, _134_, _222_, + _287_, _299_, _301_ + + _Anti-Jacobin, The_, 384 + + Apodaca, Admiral, 12 + + Appropriation Bill, _53_ + + Arden, Charles George, Lord, 129 + + Ashburton, Richard, second Lord, 78 + + Aspern, battle of, 5 + + Astorga, 22 + + Atkins, Lord Mayor, 269 + + Auckland, Lord, 78; + Deputy-Teller of the Exchequer, 48 + + Austria, 5, 69, 154, 187, 212, 303 + + + Badcock, Samuel, 327 + + Baird, General Sir David, at Coruña, 20 + + Barford, Dr. William, his Greek translation of Gray’s _Elegy_, 313 + + Baring, Alexander (Lord Ashburton), 258 + + Barrington, Hon. Shute, Bishop of Durham, 283 + + Bathurst, Lord, Secretary for War and Colonies, _147_, 187, 222, 257 + + ——, Right Hon. Charles Bragge, 40 + + Bayle, Pierre, _Dictionnaire, etc._, _386_ + + Beddoes, Dr., Reader in Chemistry at Oxford, 324, 325 + + Bedford, Duke of, 44, 109, 259 + + Bell, Mr., _10_ + + Bellingham, assassinates Mr. Perceval, 70, 127, 128; + trial and execution, 130 + + Berkeley, Frederick Augustus, Earl of, 106 + + ——, William, Earl Fitzhardinge, 106, _107_ + + Bernadotte, General, Crown Prince of Sweden, 112, 168 + + Blackstone, Sir William, 337 + + Blanca, Count Florida, 13 + + Blucher, General, 192, 196 + + Borgo, Count Pozzo di, _191_, 258, 304 + + Boringdon, Lord, 115, 141 + + Borodino, battle of, 152 + + Boswell, 320; + “the Bear Leader,” 321; + a supposed dialogue between Dr. Johnson and, 362 + + Bourbon, Duke of, 187 + + Bourbons, plot for the restoration of the, 189-91; + re-establishment, 203, 211 + + Boyd, Zachary, his bequest to Glasgow University, _341_ + + Boyle, Charles, fourth Earl of Orrery, _327_ + + British Commerce, Orders in Council, 126 + + Brougham, Henry, his criticisms of Lord Strangford, 11; + accession to the Whig party, 44; + treatment of Lord Holland and Mr. Horner, 45; + his review of Byron’s first poems, 122, 389; + revision of the Orders in Council, 132, 158; + approves Bill for detention of Napoleon, 221; + diatribe against the Prince Regent, 234; + proposals for the Princess of Wales, 277; + appointed Attorney-General, 278; + contributions to _The Edinburgh Review_, 387 + + Brown Bread Bill, 60 + + Brunswick, Crown Princess of, _58_ + + Buchan, Lord, _320_ + + Buckingham, Duke of, assassinated, 128 + + ——, Marquis of, _58_, 174 + + Bullion, Committee on, 103, 104 + + Bunbury, H., 368 + + Burdett, Sir Francis, sent to the Tower, 49; + his qualities, 102; + political views, 254; + trial, 281 + + Burgess, Dr. Thomas, 359 + + Burgos, attack on, 162 + + Burke, Edmund, 360; + his intemperate language, 239; + the dagger incident, 252; + eulogy of Sir J. Reynolds, 367 + + Burlington House, meetings at, 267 + + Burrard, Sir Harry, 15 + + Burton Pynsent, 32 + + Bute, Lord, 62 + + Byron, Lord, his verses on Princess Charlotte, 122; + _English Bards and Scotch Reviewers_, _ibid._; + Brougham’s review of his first poems, 122, 389; + his speech on the Frame-breaking Bill, 123; + his _Drury Lane Address_, 162 + + + Cadiz, 3, 24, 30; + siege of, 68; + raised, 162 + + Cambridge, Duke of, 61 + + Camden, Lord, 35 + + Campomanes, 369 + + Canning, George, Foreign Secretary, 3; + his duel with Lord Castlereagh, 6, 34; + resignation, 6, 34, 287, 301; + and Lord Strangford, 10; + enters Cabinet, 145; + Ambassador Extraordinary at Lisbon, 235; + on the Board of Control, _ibid._; + his intimacy with the Queen, 286; + contributor to _The Microcosm_, 310, 314; + facility of composition, 316; + his first verses on the slavery of Greece, 317; + _The Anti-Jacobin_, 384 + + Canova, Antonio, 370 + + Capel, Admiral Sir Thomas Bladen, in command of the _Endymion_, 21 + + Caracci, Annibal, story of, _365_ + + Carleton, Sir Guy (Lord Dorchester), _32_, 110 + + Carlyle, Joseph Dacre, 336 + + Caroline, Queen, her arrival in London, 208, 284; + George IV.’s treatment of, 208; + death, 209, 295, 306; + proceedings against, 285; + her trial in the House of Lords, 289; + withdrawal of proceedings, 292; + at St. Paul’s, 294; + her attempt to appear at the Coronation, 305. + _See_ Wales + + Cartwright, Major John, 249 + + Castlereagh, Lord, the Walcheren Expedition, 5; + duel with Canning and resignation, 6, 34; + Foreign Secretary, 70, 120; + and Catholic Emancipation, 157; + in Holland, 186; + defeat of his Property Tax, 233 + + _Castlereagh Correspondence_, _24_ + + Cathcart, Lord, _167_ + + Catholic Emancipation Question, 157; + petitions against, 169; + Bill withdrawn, 170 + + Cato Street conspiracy, 275 + + Caulaincourt, General, French plenipotentiary at Chatillon, 154, 186 + + Cavanilles, Abbé Antonio Josef, 369 + + Cavendish, Lord G., 267 + + ——, Lord John, on George III., 59 + + Cesarotti, Melchiore, 374 + + Chamberlayne, Mr., Consul at Rio Janeiro, _10_ + + Charles IV., of Spain, his abdication, 4 + + Charlotte, Princess, 122. + _See_ Wales + + ——, Queen, her death, 208 + + Chatham, Lord, and the Walcheren expedition, 31-3 + + Chatillon, Congress of, 154, 186 + + Chatterton, Thomas, his poems, _312_ + + Chesterfield, Lord, 105 + + Cholmondeley, Lord, 121 + + Cintra, Convention of, 4, 15 + + Ciudad Rodrigo, 25, 68 + + Clarke, Mrs., 6, 26, 27 + + ——, Rev. Dr., 376 + + Clausel, General, in command of the French troops, 162 + + Clergy, Perceval’s grant to the, 53 + + Clifford, Henry, 56 + + “Club, The,” 360; + origin and members, 361 + + Clubs, the King of, founders, _332_ + + Cobbett, William, 16, 50, 249; + his paper _The Weekly Political Register_, 76, 207; + his characteristics, 253; + flight to America, 255; + article in _Edinburgh Review_ on, 387, 388 + + Cocchi, 372 + + Cochrane, Lord, 253 + + Coke, Mr., of Holkham, 377 + + Coleridge, S. T., 383 + + Condorcet, 372 + + _Continental System_, result of, 111 + + Copenhagen, bombardment of, 3 + + Copley, Sir Lionel, _161_ + + Corn Law of 1815, 207, 215 + + Cornwallis, Lord, 110 + + Coruña, 4; + battle of, 22 + + Courcy, Admiral de, in command at Coruña, 21 + + Covent Garden Theatre, destroyed by fire and rebuilt, 55 + + Cowper, Lord, 41 + + Coxe, William, travelling tutor, 357; + _Memoirs of the Administration of Henry Pelham_, 358 + + Cradock, Sir John, 25 + + Craufurd, Sir James, 65 + + Creevey, Thomas, _171_, 175, 177 + + _Creevey Papers_, _28_, _137_, _197_, _218_ + + Croker, J. W., 76 + + Crowe, William, his verses, 321 + + Culver, his death in the Marshalsea prison, 99 + + Cumberland, Duke of, 96 + + Curran, John, 382 + + Currie, Dr. James, 377 + + + D’Albany, Countess, 371 + + Dalberg, Duc de, 188 + + Dalmatia, Duke of, 193 + + Dalrymple, Sir Hew, 15 + + D’Aranjo, Chevalier, Portuguese Minister, 9, 395 + + Darlington, Lord (afterwards Duke of Cleveland), 144 + + Darnley, Lord, 257 + + Dartmouth, Lord, _94_ + + Darwin, Charles, _380_ + + ——, Erasmus, 380 + + Davy, Sir Humphry, 324 + + Devizes, meeting at, 169 + + D’Holbach, Baron, 372 + + Dissenting Ministers Bill, 101-2 + + Dodd, Captain, aide-de-camp to the Duke of Kent, 27 + + Donoughmore, Earl of, 124, 286, 293; + and the Catholic Petitions, 125 + + Dorchester, Lord, _32_, 110 + + Douglas, Dr. John, 359; + his detection of Lauder’s forgeries, 360 + + Drummond, British Envoy at Palermo, 17 + + Drury Lane Theatre, destroyed by fire, 55; + rebuilt, 57; + opened, 162; + Byron’s _Address_, 163 + + Dumont, Mr., founder of the King of Clubs, _332_ + + ——, Pierre Étienne Louis, _263_ + + Dundas, Sir David, Commander-in-Chief, 6, 26 + + Dundonald, Earl of, _253_ + + Durham, Earl of, _267_ + + + East India Company, monopoly of the, 174 + + Ebrington, Lord (afterwards second Lord Fortescue), 257 + + Eden, William Frederick, his death, 48 + + _Edinburgh Review, The_, 15; + its motto and first appearance, 386; + contributors to, 387, 388; + political character, 387 + + Egremont, George, third Earl of, 139, 146, 292, 371, 390 + + Egypt, 226 + + Eldon, Lord, Lord Chancellor, 75, 115, 140, _147_, 159, 160 + + Elgin, Thomas, seventh Earl of, Ambassador to the Porte, 336 + + Ellenborough, Edward Law, first Baron, 100; + on the Committee of Inquiry into the Charges against the Princess + of Wales, _174_, 175, 176; + on the amendment of the Marriage Act, 299 + + Elliot, Sir Gilbert (second Earl of Minto), on Sheridan’s Begum + Speech, 170, _244_ + + Ellis, George, 51-2 + + Elliston, Robert William, 163; + manager of Drury Lane Theatre, _163_ + + England, outbreak of war with the United States, 156, 159 + + Erskine, Hon. Henry, Lord Advocate, 320 + + ——, Lord, 54, 144, 146; + on the Committee of Inquiry into the Charges against the Princess + of Wales, _174_, 175; + his loss of memory, 296; + services in the trials of 1794, _ibid._; + character, 297-9; + style of his speeches, 297; + elocution, 298; + death, 299 + + Estremadura, 24 + + _Ex officio_ informations, Bills rejected on, 160 + + + Fabre, François Xavier, 370 + + Fabroni, Giovanni, 373 + + Fazakerley, Mr., on Napoleon’s admission of failure, _182_ + + Felton, assassinates the Duke of Buckingham, 128 + + Ferdinand IV., king of Naples, his arbitrary powers, 209 + + Ferdinand VII., king of Spain, scheme for rescuing, 113; + his return to power, 203 + + Filmer, Sir Robert, _194_ + + FitzClarence, Lady Mary, her marriage, _211_ + + Fitzgerald, Lady Olivia, _223_ + + Fitzhardinge, Earl, _107_ + + Fitzherbert, Alleyne, _370_ + + Fitzpatrick, General, 52; + his letter to Lord Ossory, 95-7; + death, 171; + the _Rolliad_, 173; + “my own epitaph,” _ibid._; + lines on Gibbon, 349 + + Fitzwilliam, Lord, _94_, 254; + his character, 255; + loan to the Duke of Kent, 272 + + Flahault, Count Auguste Charles Joseph, 220 + + ——, Madame de, on the flight of Princess Charlotte, _201_, _220_ + + Flaxman, John, 371 + + Folkestone, Lord, 28 + + Fontana, Professor of Philosophy at Pisa, 372 + + Fortescue, Earl, 257 + + Fouché, Joseph, Duke of Otranto, Minister of the Interior, 34, 112, + 206, 213 + + Fox, Charles James, 42, _110_; + on the appearance of George III., 59; + on the character of the Prince of Wales’ conversation, _74_; + Sheridan on, 242; + on Lord Grenville’s character, 272; + on Gibbon’s want of principle in politics, 348; + his introduction to Sheridan, 349; + on Sir Joshua Reynolds’ picture, “The Death of Cardinal Beaufort,” + 366; + on the publication of _The Life of Lorenzo of Medici_, 376 + + ——, General Charles Richard, 211 + + ——, the Hon. Henry Edward, his death, 110 + + France, secret alliance with Russia and Prussia against Great + Britain, 3; + war with Austria, 5; + treaties with Prussia and Austria, 69; + Allies enter Paris, 154, 193; + provisional Government proclaimed, 154; + amount of indemnities, 205; + political reaction in, _ibid._; + result of the election of the Chamber, 206; + settlement of, 216; + removal of works of art, 217 + + Francis, Grand-Duke of Tuscany, _372_ + + ——, Sir Philip, his denial of the authorship of _Junius Letters_, 404 + + Frederick William, king of Prussia, 153; + in London, 155, 196 + + Frere, Bartholomew, his contributions to _The Edinburgh Review_, 388 + + ——, Rt. Hon. John Hookham, 19, 388; + his characteristics, 19, 317; + created Marquis de la Union, 26; + contributor to _The Microcosm_, _310_, 314; + originality of his humour, 317, 318; + conversation, 318; + fondness for reading, 319 + + Funchal, Marquis de, Portuguese Ambassador, 11 + + + Gainsborough, 367 + + Gallois, Jean Antoine, _190_ + + Galvani, Aloisio, and galvanism, 372 + + Garrick, David, the intellectual powers of, 362; + affectation of superiority, 363 + + George, Dr., his Greek and Latin verse, 313 + + George III., king, symptoms of insanity, 57-60, 67; + his habits of intrigue and duplicity, 60; + death of his daughter, Princess Amelia, 61, 67; + affection for his children, 61; + character, 61-6; + cause of his popularity, 62; + policy to Hanover, 64; + hopes of his recovery, 88; + interview with Mr. Perceval, 89; + his death, 208, 275; + character of his Court, 378 + + George IV., his accession, 208; + his treatment of Queen Caroline, 208, 293; + proclaimed King, 279; + illness, 279; + reception at the theatres, 294; + his coronation, 305; + in Ireland, 306; + on the death of Queen Caroline, 306. + _See_ Wales + + Ghent, Treaty of, 156 + + Gibbon, Edward, 308, 347; + devotion to letters, and vanity, 347; + want of principle in politics, 348; + accepts office, _ibid._; + lines on, 349; + homage paid to him at Lausanne, 354; + a tribute to, 355 + + Gijon, 369 + + Glasgow University, 340-1 + + Glennie, Mr., 27 + + Glynn, Dr. Robert, his Seatonian Prize on the Day of Judgment, 312 + + Goderich, Lord, _189_ + + Godoy, Manuel de, Duke of Alcudia (“Prince of the Peace”), 19 + + Godwin, William, _Caleb Williams_, 381; + his marriages, 382 + + Goodall, Dr. Joseph, 311 + + Goodwin, Mr., 49 + + Gordon, Sir Robert, 302 + + Goya, Francisco José de, artist, 368 + + Graham, General, at Cadiz, 68 + + Grampound Enfranchisement Bill, 282, 305 + + Grantham, Lord, 259 + + Grant, Sir William, 140 + + Granville, Earl, Ambassador to Russia, 127 + + Grattan, 126, 133; + and Catholic Emancipation, 169; + his death, 282 + + Grenville, Lord, 14, _35_; + his refusal to form an Administration, 37; + Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 41; + his views on Roman Catholics, 41; + treatment of Sheridan, 72; + his support of the Regency Bill, 76; + audience with the Prince of Wales, 80-2; + retains his auditorship, 83, 87, 142; + a draft withdrawn, 83, 84; + a laboured remonstrance, 85; + on a change of Ministers, 90; + refuses to accept office, 117-9, 138; + negotiations with Lord Wellesley, 140; + interview with Lord Moira, 142; + on the monopoly of the East India Company, 174; + on the Committee of Inquiry into the charges against the Princess + of Wales, 176; + his speech in support of the war, 183; + close of his public life, 271; + on Queen Caroline’s Bill, _ibid._; + his proxy for the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, 272; + death, _ibid._ + + Grenville, Thomas, 117 + + Grey, Lady, 75 + + ——, Lord, 13; + Perceval’s overtures to, 36-40; + on the state of the nation, 53; + his treatment of Sheridan, 72; + in London, 82; + a laboured remonstrance, 85; + on a change of Ministers, 90; + on the invitation to accept office, 117; + manifesto on his opinions, 117-9, 138; + on the Prince of Wales’ duplicity, 121; + negotiations with Lord Wellesley, 140; + interview with Lord Moira, 142; + his motion on the Corn Law, 215; + Lord Holland’s letter to, 400-3 + + Grosvenor, John, 339 + + Grove, Sir Nathaniel, 314 + + Gustavus IV., king of Sweden, 80 + + + Habeas Corpus Act, suspension of, 207, 254-5; + repeal, 261 + + Halford, Sir Henry, 90, 92, 339 + + Hall, Captain Basil, _21_ + + Hardenberg, Count, 69 + + Hardwicke, Lord, 146 + + Hardy, Thomas, _382_ + + Hare, Mr., his lines on his appointment to Warsaw, 350; + characteristics, 351-2; + marriage, 352; + political views, 353 + + Harris, Sir John, 229 + + Harrison, arrest of, 269 + + Harrowby, Lord, 115; + Lord President of the Council, _147_, 303 + + Heard, Sir Isaac, Garter King-of-Arms, proclaims George IV. King, 279 + + Hertford, Lady, 125 + + ——, Marquess of, _86_ + + Hervey, Lord, 309 + + Hewitt, Mrs., 313 + + Hickes, _Thesaurus_, 332 + + Hill, Mr., chaplain to the factory at Lisbon, 384 + + Hobhouse, Sir Benjamin, 40 + + Hogarth, his exhibition of pictures, 367; + _Sigismonda_, 368 + + Holcroft, Thomas, _The Road to Ruin_, 382; + indictment, 383; + marriage, _ibid._ + + Holkham, 377 + + Holland House, _84_ + + ——, Lady, _45_, 221; + on the execution of Marshal Ney, _222_ + + ——, Lord, Lord Privy Seal, 1; + on the dismissal of the Ministry “of all the talents,” 1; + Recorder of Nottingham, 42; + on the Regency Bill, 76; + his attempt to revise cases of libel, 99; + estrangement with Lord Ellenborough, 100; + on forming an Administration, 109; + attempts to modify the law on _ex-officio_ informations, 160; + his _Foreign Reminiscences_, _189_, _210_, _219_, _305_; + on the plot for the restoration of the Bourbons, 190; + _Miscellaneous Reminiscences_, _210_, 307, 390; + accepts the seals of the Duchy of Lancaster, 211; + his protest against the Bill for the detention of Napoleon, 221; + his letter to Lord Kinnaird on the capitulation of Paris, 224-8; + his motion for an inquiry into the treatment of Napoleon at St. + Helena, 257; + bequest of Ampthill, 259; + his proposed Repeal of the Royal Marriage Act, 284; + his Bill to amend Treason Laws, 304; + in France, 304; + his publication of Horace Walpole’s _Memoirs of the Last Ten Years + of the Reign of George II._, _309_; + conversation with Lord Wellesley on the Prince Regent’s views on + the Roman Catholic Question, 396-9; + his letter to Lord Grey, 400-3 + + ——, revolution in, 185 + + Holy Alliance, Treaty of, 300; + meeting of the Powers, 301 + + Hone, William, his indictment, 258 + + Hood, Sir Samuel, at Vigo Bay, 21 + + Horner, Francis, 13, 234, 386; + his treatment by Mr. Brougham, 45; + on the Regency Bill, 76; + on paper currency, 103; + President of the Parliamentary Committee on bullion, _ibid._; + his death—tributes to his memory, 256 + + Hornsby, Dr. Thomas, Professor of Astronomy, 338 + + Howley, Dr., Bishop of London, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, + 198, 243 + + Hume, David, his prediction of Lord Ossory, 260 + + Hunt, Dr., 337 + + ——, Henry, 250; + his arrest, 269; + trial, 281 + + Hunter, John, 341; + his dogmatical spirit, 342; + self-applause, 343; + denial of the efficacy of mineral springs, _ibid._; + belief in the influence of the mind over the body, 344; + affection of his heart, _ibid._; + inventive genius and investigation of anatomical truths, 345 + + Hutchinson, Lord, 90, 124, 226, 286, 293 + + + Indemnity Bill, 261 + + Ingenhousz, John, 324 + + + Jackson, Dr. Cyril, Dean of Christ Church, 322-3 + + ——, William, Bishop of Oxford, 323 + + Jeffrey, Francis, Lord, on the character of Sir S. Romilly, _264_; + editor of _The Edinburgh Review_, 386 + + ——, Mr., his charges against Lord St. Vincent, _10_ + + Jenyns, Soame, 308 + + Jersey, Lady, _200_ + + Johnson, Dr., 51, 360; + pensioned by George III., _65_; + his _Tour to the Hebrides_, 320; + founder of “The Club,” 361; + style of his conversation, 362; + on Garrick, 363 + + Jones, John Gale, President of the “British Forum,” 49 + + ——, Rev. John Pike, 283 + + Jordan, Mrs., _211_ + + Jovellanos, Don Gaspar Melchior de, 13; + Goya’s portrait of, 368; + his talents and conversation, 369 + + _Junius Letters_, author of, 404 + + + Kemble, John, 55, 363 + + Kenney, James, 383 + + Kent, Duke of, his death, 208, 272; + marriage, 247; + character, 273; + Commander-in-Chief in Canada and Governor of Gibraltar, _ibid._; + observance of form and love of business, 274; + nickname, 275 + + Kett, Henry, 321 + + King, Lord, 281; + his method of defeating the system of paper currency, 104 + + Kinnaird, Lord, letter from Lord Holland, 224-8 + + Knight, Richard Payne, his contributions to _The Edinburgh Review_, + 388 + + Kolli, an adventurer, 113 + + + Labedoyère, executed, 206, 217, 225 + + “Lake Poets,” 383 + + La Mancha, 24 + + Lamb, George, 389 + + Lambton, Mr., 267, 325 + + Langford, Dr., 311 + + Lansdowne, Henry Petty, third Marquess of, 44; + on the Regency Bill, 76; + his advice to Lords Grey and Grenville, 119; + at Devizes, 169 + + ——, John Henry, second Marquess of, his death, 42; + characteristics, 43; + epitaph, _ibid._ + + ——, William, first Marquess of, _44_, 325 + + Lauder, William, the forgeries of, _359_ + + Lauderdale, James, eighth Earl of, 47, 78, 262, 286; + his amendment against the payment of compensation to Mr. Thomas + Scott, 54; + on the question of the Duke of York’s reinstatement, 93; + champion of the Corn Law, 215 + + Laurence, Mr. Justice, 107 + + Lavater, Johann Gaspar, physiognomist, 346 + + Lawrence, Dr., 76 + + Laybach, Congress of, 209, 300, 302 + + Leach, Sir John, 286, 293; + report of his conversation with Lord Holland, 400-3 + + Leconfield, Lord, _365_ + + Leinster, Augustus, third Duke of, motion on Queen’s trial, 289 + + Leipsic, battle of, 154, 182 + + Leitrim, Lord, 94 + + Leopold, Grand-Duke of Tuscany, 372 + + Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, Prince, 156, 199, 246-7 + + Leveson, Lord Granville (afterwards Earl Granville), 127 + + Lewis, Matthew Gregory, his novel _The Monk_, 379; + his death, 380 + + Libel, cases of, revision, 99 + + Lieven, Count, Russian Ambassador in England, 304 + + _Lis mota_, _107_ + + Lisbon, expedition to, 3; + fortifications of Torres Vedras formed, 7; + emigration of the Court to the Brazils, 8 + + Lisle, Hon. Mrs., 176 + + Liverpool, Lord, Secretary for War, 6; + Premier, 70, 146, 151; + and the Regency Bill, 78; + negotiations for a new Ministry, 134; + declines to serve under Lord Moira, 145; + character of his Administration, 157; + on Lord Stanhope’s speech on the Suspension Act, 261; + his Bill dissolving the Queen’s marriage, _278_; + his mission to the French Princes, 330 + + Londonderry, third Marquess of, 302 + + Lords, House of, inaction of the, 47; + use of proxies, 78 + + Loughborough, Lord, 348 + + Louis XVIII., Emperor of France, recalled to the throne, 155, _193_, + 195, 205; + plot for his restoration, 190; + and the Prince Regent, 194; + adopts the white cockade, 194; + character, 203 + + Lowe, Sir Hudson, appointed gaoler of Napoleon, 218 + + Lugo, 21 + + Lynch, Mr., 190 + + + Maceroni, Colonel, _257_ + + Mackenzie, General, _30_ + + Mackintosh, Sir James, 267, _337_, 358 + + Mail coaches, invention of, 106, _108_ + + Malone, Mr., his sketch of Mr. Windham’s life, 51 + + Manchester, meeting at, 269; + + “Massacre of Peterloo,” 207, 270 + + Manfredini, 373 + + Manners-Sutton, Charles, Archbishop of Canterbury, 64 + + Maria Louisa, Empress of Austria, 187 + + Markham, Archbishop of York, 323 + + Marmont, General, in command of the French, 68, _193_; + defeated at Salamanca, 151, 161; + capitulates to Allies, _193_ + + Marriage Act, amendment of, 299 + + Marshalsea prison, condition of, 99 + + Maryborough, Wellesley Pole, Lord, 98 + + “Massacre of Peterloo,” 207, 270 + + Massena, General, 68; + retires from Portugal, 7; + retreat, 111 + + Matarosa (Count Torreno), 12 + + Mellish, Mr., contributor to _The Microcosm_, 314 + + Melville, Lord, 32, 54; + his objections to Lord Wellesley, 127, 138; + First Lord of the Admiralty, _147_ + + Mercier, his _Tableau de Paris_, 383 + + Metternich, Prince, 7, 189 + + Mexico, expedition against, 11 + + _Microcosm, The_, 310, 314, 316, 317 + + Middleton, Mr., _310_ + + Milner, Dr. John, Bishop of Castabala, 124 + + Milton, Charles William, Viscount, 94 + + Minto, Lord, 170, _244_ + + Mitford, William, _History of Greece_, 356 + + Moira, Lord, 81, 90, 133; + his approval of Lord Grey’s and Lord Grenville’s conduct, 124; + declines to form an Administration, 139; + interview with Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, 142; + failure of his negotiations, 144; + hopes to form a Ministry, 145; + Governor-General of India, 148 + + Monson, Lord, _194_ + + Montholon, Count, 257 + + Monti, Vincenzo, 374 + + Montrose, Duke of, and the outrage on Prince Regent, 251 + + Moore, Thomas; his _Life of Sheridan_, _86_, 237; + parody of the Prince Regent’s letter, 124 + + ——, Admiral Sir Graham, 10 + + ——, Sir John, death at Coruña, 4, 22; + in command of the troops in the Peninsular War, 17; + his qualities, 17-19, 23; + his last letter, 24 + + Moreau, General, _161_ + + _Morning Chronicle_, 11 + + Morpeth, Lord, 171; + his tribute to the memory of Francis Horner, 256 + + Morris, Captain, 74 + + Moscow, entered by the French, and burnt, 164-5; + retreat of the French, 180 + + Mulgrave, Lord, Master-General of the Ordnance, 33, 48 + + Murat, overthrown by the Austrians, 204 + + Murray, John, 386 + + ——, Lord James, on the attempt on the life of the Prince of Wales, 251 + + ——, Major-General Sir George, Quarter-Master-General in the + Peninsula, 180 + + _Musa Anglicana_, _313_ + + _Musæ Etonenses_, _313_ + + Mutiny Bill, 102 + + + Napier, Sir William, _17_; + _Memoirs of Sir Charles Napier_, _35_; + his _History of the Peninsular War_, _30_, _393_ + + Naples and Ferdinand IV., 209; + revolution at, _300_ + + Napoleon, Emperor, his meeting with Emperor Alexander at Tilsit, 3; + invades Portugal, 4; + obtains possession of Spain, 4; + returns to Paris, 5; + divorces Josephine, 7; + his marriage, _ibid._; + annexes the Papal States and Holland, _ibid._; + on the Danube, 34; + his preparations against Russia, 69; + retreat from Moscow, 152, 180; + defeated at Leipsic, 154, 182; + dethroned and sent to Elba, 154, _193_; + his views of Emperor Alexander’s character, 166; + unreasonable demands for peace, 181; + admission of failure, _182_; + subterfuges, 187, 189; + abdication, 193; + escapes from Elba and enters Paris, 204; + flight after battle of Waterloo, _ibid._; + sent to St. Helena, 205; + Bill for the Detention of, 220; + inquiry into the treatment of, 257; + death, 305 + + Navarette, battle of, _179_ + + _Needy Knife-grinder, The_, 384 + + Nelson, Lord, his conduct at Naples, 226 + + _New Monthly Magazine_, 301 + + Newton, Sir Isaac, 315 + + Ney, Marshal, his trial and execution, 206, 217, 222, 225 + + Norfolk, Duke of, 15, 54, 146 + + North, Hon. Frederick, _51_ + + ——, Hon. Dudley, on the author of _Junius Letters_, 404 + + Northumberland, Duke of, 11, 55 + + + Oldenburg, Duchess of, 198 + + Orange, William, Prince of, 156, 198; + proclaimed King of Holland and Belgium, 185 + + Orders in Council, result of, 126; + relinquished, 132, 158 + + Orense, 22 + + Orford, Lord, 376 + + Orleans, Louis Philippe, Duke of, on the Prince Regent’s views on the + Roman Catholic Question, 398 + + Osborne, Lord Francis, 49 + + Ossian, _Poems_, 320 + + Ossory, Lord, General Fitzpatrick’s letter to, 95-7; + on the death of Mr. Whitbread, _214_; + his death, 259; + a tribute to, 260; + on Horace Walpole, 309 + + Otranto, Duke of. _See_ Fouché + + Ouvrard, Gabriel Julien, _34_ + + + Pains and Penalties Bill, 288 + + Palmer, Colonel, his claim for remuneration for the invention of mail + coaches, 106-8 + + Paper and bullion, questions relating to, 103 + + Parini, Giuseppe, 374 + + Paris, treaties of, 155, 193, 195, 203, 205, 217; + capitulates to Allies, 222 + + Parr, Dr. Samuel, his inscription on Sir John Moore’s monument, 22; + master at Harrow School, 241, 325; + a sketch of, 326-9; + his Latin preface to Bellendenus, 329; + on Pitt, _ibid._; + on Lord Liverpool’s mission to the French Princes, 330; + at Holkham, 378 + + Pegge, Sir Christopher, Regius Professor of Physic, 339 + + Pelham, Dr., 283 + + Peninsular War, 15 + + Pembroke, Lord, 357 + + Perceval, Mr., Prime Minister, 6; + his correspondence with Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, 36-8; + his grant to the clergy, 53; + assassinated, 70, 128; + Regency Bill, 75; + interview with George III., 89; + and Prince Regent, 91-2, 108; + his principles, 132; + character of his speeches, 133 + + Perry, James, editor of _Morning Chronicle_, 11 + + _Phalaris, The Epistles of_, _327_ + + Pigott, Sir Arthur, Attorney-General, 98; + his death, 295 + + Pitt, William, his resignation (1801), 60; + on Sheridan’s Begum Speech, 244; + Dr. Parr’s opinion of, 330 + + Plunket, Lord, on Catholic Emancipation, 170 + + Poland, annexed to Russia, 205 + + Pole, Wellesley (afterwards Lord Maryborough), 98 + + Ponsonby, Right Hon. George, leader of the Whigs, 2, 29, 44, 91, 109; + death, _265_ + + Pope, Alexander, 86, _310_ + + Popham, Sir Home, 33 + + Porchester, Lord, conducts the Walcheren inquiry, 46 + + Porson, Richard, his marvellous memory, 331; + character, 332-3; + elected Greek Professor at Cambridge, 333; + religious views, 334; + his drunkenness, 335; + his verses and repartees, 335-6 + + Portland, Duke of, 35-6; + his death, 41; + Chancellor of Oxford University, 321 + + Portugal, Royal Family leave for Brazil, 4, 8 + + Postlethwaite, Dr., 333 + + Property Tax, 233; + repeal of the, 207 + + Pulteney, _310_ + + + Queen Anne’s Bounty, 53 + + Queensberry, Duke of, _56_ + + + Radnor, Lord, 28, 130 + + Randolph, Dr. John, his divinity lectures, 338; + Bishop of Oxford and London, 339 + + Redesdale, Lord, 356 + + Regency Bill, 75-7 + + Restrictive Laws, enactment of the, 272 + + Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 360; + his portrait of John Hunter, 346; + character of his pictures, 361; + conversation, 362, 364; + literary works, 363; + price of his pictures, 365; + _The Death of Cardinal Beaufort_, _ibid._; + “a pattern of human happiness,” 366 + + Richmond, Duke of, 27 + + Roberts, Dr. W. H., Provost of Eton, 311 + + Robertson, William, Principal of Edinburgh University, 320 + + Robison, John, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford, 337 + + Rogers, Samuel, 122, 389; + his lines on the Prince Regent, 124; + epigram, _194_; + a founder of the King of Clubs, _332_ + + Roman Catholic Bishops, veto on the appointment of, 125 + + Roman Catholic Question, Prince Regent’s views on, 396-9 + + Romanzow, Count Nicholas, Russian Chancellor, _167_ + + Romilly, Sir Samuel, 235; + on the Committee of Inquiry into the Charges against the Princess + of Wales, _174_, 175; + his oratory, 256; + elected for Westminster, 263; + his suicide, _ibid._; + his _Memoirs_, 264; + a founder of the King of Clubs, _332_ + + Romney, 367 + + Roscoe, William, _The Life of Lorenzo of Medici_, 375-7; + employed at Holkham, 377 + + Rosslyn, Lord Chancellor, 60 + + Routh, Dr. Martin Joseph, President of Magdalen College, 326 + + Royal Marriage Act, proposed repeal, 284 + + Russell, Lord William, 171 + + Ryder, Right Hon. Richard, 48 + + + St. Helena, 205 + + St. Helens, Lord, Ambassador at Madrid, 370 + + St. John, Lord, 222 + + St. Vincent, Lord, 38 + + Salamanca, battle of, 24, 151, 161 + + Santini, _257_ + + Saxe-Coburg, Prince Leopold of, his marriage, 156, 199, 246; + annuity, 247 + + Schwarzenberg, General, 192 + + Scott, Thomas, question of the payment of compensation to, 54 + + ——, Sir Walter, his treatment of Lord Holland, 55; + on Monk Lewis’ verses, _379_; + his contributions to _The Edinburgh Review_, 387 + + Sefton, Lord, 265 + + Select Vestry Bill, 250 + + Selwyn, George, 309, 313, 328 + + Seneca, quoted, 72 + + Seville, 24 + + Seymour, Lord Webb, 386 + + Shakespeare, _Richard II._, 129 + + Sharp, Richard, a founder of the King of Clubs, _332_ + + Sheffield, John Baker Holroyd, first Earl of, 348 + + Shepherd, Dr. William, 377 + + Sheridan, Mrs. Thomas, 240, 243; + _Sidney Bidulph_, 240 + + ——, Richard Brinsley, 39, 308; + his influence over the Prince of Wales, 71; + treatment by Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, 72; + applies for the Secretaryship of Ireland, 73; + his criticism of Lord Grey’s and Lord Grenville’s draft, 83; + close of his career, 236; + debts, 237; + defects of character, 238-40; + parents, 240; + at school, _ibid._; + intellectual powers, 241; + physical constitution, 242; + kindness and consideration, 243; + religious views, _ibid._; + the Begum Speech, 244; + composition and style of his conversation, 245; + his introduction to Mr. Fox, 349; + _The Rivals_, _ibid._ + + Sheridan, Thomas, 240 + + Sibthorp, Dr., 322 + + Sidmouth, Lord, 40; + his resignation, 60; + his Dissenting Ministers Bill, 101; + Home Secretary, 147, 207; + suspends the Habeas Corpus Act, 207 + + Sitaro, Mr., _10_ + + Slave Trade, abolition of, 195 + + Smith, “Easley,” contributor to _The Microcosm_, 314 + + ——, Rev. Sydney, 315; + his witticism on Lord Grenville, _41_; + his proposed motto for _The Edinburgh Review_, 387 + + ——, Robert Percy (Bobus), on Lord Erskine, 298; + contributor to _The Microcosm_, _310_, 314; + anecdote of Dr. Glynn, 312; + his powers of application and reasoning, 315; + command of language, 316; + a founder of the King of Clubs, _332_ + + ——, Sir George, sent to Cadiz, 30 + + ——, Sir Sidney, in command of the English fleet at Lisbon, _9_; + on the South American Station, 30 + + ——, Vernon, 97 + + Smithfield, meeting at, 269 + + Smollett’s _Continuation_, 58 + + Soult, Marshal, 193 + + Southey, Robert, _118_, 383; + his secret marriage, 384; + characteristics, 385 + + Souza-Continho, Domingo Antonio de, Marquis de Funchal, 11 + + Spain, campaigns in, 8; + revolution, 12; + condition, 203; + Constitution restored, 281, 300 + + Spallanzani, Lazaro, 372 + + Spencer, Lord, 128; + on Committee of Inquiry into the charges against the Princess of + Wales, 176 + + ——, Lord Henry, contributor to _The Microcosm_, 314 + + Stanhope, Charles, third Earl of, 79, 245; + supports the paper currency system, 104; + his device for preventing forgeries, 105; + his death, 245 + + ——, Lady, 261 + + Stanhope, Philip Henry, fourth Earl of, on the Suspension Act, 261 + + Stanley, Edward, Bishop of Norwich, on the “Massacre of Peterloo,” 270 + + Stephen, James, 159 + + Stephenson, Mr., _146_ + + Stowell (Sir William Scott), Lord, _360_ + + Strangford, Lord, his negotiations with Portugal, 9; + official despatch _Off the Tagus_, 10, 393-5; + appointed Minister at Rio Janeiro, 11; + criticism on his poems, 388; + facility in composition, 389; + diplomatic career, 390; + his _Observations_ on a note in Colonel Napier’s book, 393 + + Strawberry Hill, 309 + + Sussex, Duke of, 201, 220 + + Sutton, Mr. Manners, 256 + + Sweden, Bernadotte, Crown Prince of, 112, 168 + + Swift, Jonathan, compared with Richard Porson, 335 + + + Tacitus, _Ann._, quoted, 72 + + Talavera, battle of, 7, 47 + + Talleyrand, provisional Government proclaimed under, 154, _193_; + his intrigues, 188; + his dismissal, 206 + + Taylor, Sir Herbert, Private Secretary to George III., 61 + + Thistlewood, his plot for murdering the Ministry, 275, 280 + + Thomond, Lady, 364 + + Thompson, Dr., his bequest to Glasgow University, 340 + + Thomson, T., 386 + + Tickell, Richard, 308 + + Tierney, Mr., 47, 116, 293; + President of the Board of Control, 174; + accepts the Leadership of the House of Commons, 265-8; + his vote of censure, 268 + + Tiraboschi, Girolamo, 374 + + Tooke, Horne, 296 + + Torreno, Count, 12 + + Toulouse, battle of, 155, 193 + + Townshend, Lord John, _349_ + + Travis, Archdeacon, 334 + + Treason Laws, 304 + + Troppau, meeting of the Holy Alliance at, _301_ + + Tuy, 22 + + + United States, progress of, _63_; + war with England, 69, 156, 159; + Non-Intercourse Act, _127_ + + + Valette, Antoine Marie, Count de la, 224 + + Vaughan, Dr. (Sir Henry Halford), 90, 97, 339 + + Vega, Don Andres de la, 12 + + Vernon, Caroline (Mrs. Bobus Smith), 315 + + ——, Edward Venables, Archbishop of York, 64 + + Victoria, Queen, her birth, 272; + name given to, 273 + + Vienna, Congress at, 155, 204 + + Vigo Bay, 21 + + Vimiero, battle of, 15 + + Vitrolles, M., 188-90 + + Vittoria, battle of, 152, 179 + + + Walcheren expedition, 5, 30-1, 33, 46 + + Wales, Princess Charlotte of, her marriage, 156, 198, 246; + character, 199, 248; + letter on her marriage, 199; + flight and return, 201; + death, 208, 247 + + ——, Princess of, charges against, 174-9; + appeal to Parliament, 177; + her character, 178; + in London, 208, _278_, 282; + treatment by George IV., 208, 276-9; + death, 209. + _See_ Caroline + + Wales, Prince of, 38; + appointed Regent, 67; + abstains from political concert with the Opposition, 71; + character of his conversation, 74; + the Regency Bill, 76; + hostility to Mr. Perceval, 77; + his audience with Lord Grenville, 80-2; + wish to reinstate the Duke of York, 81; + letter from the Queen, 89; + on retaining his Ministers, 91; + takes the oath of Regency, _ibid._; + reinstates the Duke of York, 94; + criticisms on his conduct, 94-7; + his interest in the Spanish war, 106; + the Berkeley Peerage, _ibid._; + the claim of Mr. Palmer, 107; + his letter to the Duke of York, 117; + invitation to Lord Grey and Lord Grenville to accept office, + _ibid._; + his resentment of personal slights, 121; + intrigues and devices, 136; + dislike to Lord Grey, 142; + his speech on the victory of Leipsic, 183; + on the restoration of the Bourbons, 191, 211; + his meeting with Louis XVIII., 194; + unpopularity, 197; + dislike of the Emperor Alexander, 198; + accession, 208; + commendation of Napoleon’s letter, 220; + shot at, 250-2; + his wish to divorce his wife, 276; + treatment of her, 276-9; + his tutor, 323; + his views on the Roman Catholic Question, 396-9. + _See_ George IV. + + Waller, Edmund, 244 + + Walpole, Horace, 308-10 + + Wardle, Colonel, 27 + + Warton, Thomas, 321 + + Waterloo, battle of, 216 + + Wellesley, Richard Colley, Marquess of, Foreign Secretary, 6, 48; + Ambassador to Spain, 47; + resigns, 70, 113, 116; + policy, 112, 137; + character, 113, 114; + and Wellington, 229; + style of his speeches, 115; + his letters on the new Ministry, 135; + negotiations with Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, 137-41; + Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, _142_; + on the Prince Regent’s views on the Roman Catholic Question, 396-9 + + Wellington, Duke of, in command of the forces in Portugal, 7, 15; + forms the lines of Torres Vedras, 7; + objections to his appointment, 16; + Talavera, 47; + his policy in Spain, 68; + captures Ciudad Rodrigo, _ibid._; + and Wellesley, 114, 229; + his victory at Salamanca, 151, 161; + appointed Commander-in-Chief, 151; + British Ambassador in Paris, 155, 196; + Vittoria, 152, 179; + enters France, 152; + attack on Burgos, 162; + on the restoration of the Bourbons, _190_; + character of his operations, 193; + Toulouse, _ibid._; + advice to Louis XVIII., 213; + Royalists’ treatment of, _ibid._; + endeavour to restrain the Allies, 218; + abuse of Frenchmen, 218; + censures the appointment of Sir H. Lowe, _ibid._; + capitulation of Paris, 222-8; + character, 229-32; + harshness to inferiors, and vanity, 231; + on public meetings, 301 + + Wenman, Dr. Thomas Francis, Professor of Civil Law, 337 + + Westmacott, Richard, 192 + + Westmorland, John, tenth Earl of, 13, 38; + on the amendment of the Marriage Act, 299 + + Wharton, Duke of, his repartee to William IV., 94 + + Whig Party, policy of the, 29 + + Whishaw, Richard, a founder of the King of Clubs, _332_ + + Whitbread, Samuel, 13; + on the union of the auditorship and the Treasury, 87; + chief director of Drury Lane Theatre, 162; + his _Address_, 163; + on the charges against the Princess of Wales, 174; + in support of the war, 184; + his character and death, 214 + + White, Dr. Joseph, Laudian Professor of Arabic, 327, 328; + his Bampton Lectures, 327 + + Wickham, William, 14 + + Wilberforce, William, and Abolition of the Slave Trade, 157, 195; + contributions to _The Edinburgh Review_, 387 + + Wilbraham, Roger, 378 + + William IV., 211 + + Williams, Sir Charles Hanbury, 173, 349 + + Wilson, Sir Robert, _224_, 258; + his “Lusitanian Legion,” 25; + attached to the Russian army, _167_; + at the battle of Leipsic, 182; + protest against the appearance of the Queen at the Coronation, 305 + + Windham, Mr., 15; + on the duel between Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning, 35; + his support of the privileges of Parliament, 50; + death, 51; + religious views, 52 + + Woburn Abbey, Temple of Liberty at, _353_ + + Wollstonecraft, Mary, her marriage and death, 382 + + Wood, Sir Matthew, 284 + + Wooddeson, Richard, Vinerian Professor, 337 + + Wordsworth, William, 383 + + Wortley, Stuart, Mr. A. (afterwards Lord Wharncliffe), his motion to + form a new Administration, 136, 147 + + Wynn, Charles Watkin Williams, _118_, 385 + + + Yarmouth, Francis Charles, Earl of, 86 + + York, Duchess of, _199_, 246 + + ——, Duke of, 61, _199_, _201_, 246; + charge against, 26; + resigns his office of Commander-in-Chief, 26; + question of his reinstatement, 92; + letter from the Prince of Wales, 117; + on the invitation to Lord Grey and Lord Grenville to form an + Administration, 120; + his tutor, 323 + + Yorke, Rt. Hon. Charles Philip, 26; + accepts the Admiralty, 48 + + +_Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ + +[Illustration] + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78891 *** diff --git a/78891-h/78891-h.htm b/78891-h/78891-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e1e023 --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/78891-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,18222 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Further memoirs of the whig party | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +a { + text-decoration: none; +} + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +h2.nobreak { + page-break-before: avoid; +} + +hr.chap { + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + clear: both; + width: 65%; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; +} + +img.w100 { + width: 100%; +} + +div.chapter { + page-break-before: always; +} + +ul { + list-style-type: none; +} + +li.indx { + margin-top: .5em; + padding-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em; +} + +li.ifrst { + margin-top: 2em; + padding-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em; +} + +li.isub1 { + padding-left: 4em; + text-indent: -2em; +} + +p { + margin-top: 0.5em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: 0.5em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +table { + margin: 1em auto 1em auto; + max-width: 35em; + border-collapse: collapse; +} + +td { + padding-left: 2.25em; + padding-right: 0.25em; + vertical-align: top; + text-indent: -2em; + text-align: justify; +} + +.sub { + text-indent: 0; + padding-bottom: 1.5em; + font-size: 90%; +} + +.tdpg { + vertical-align: bottom; + text-align: right; +} + +blockquote { + margin: 1.5em 10%; +} + +.center { + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; +} + +figcaption p { + text-align: center; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-size: 90%; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.footnotes { + margin-top: 1em; + border: dashed 1px; +} + +.footnote { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em; +} + +.footnote .label { + position: absolute; + right: 84%; + text-align: right; +} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none; +} + +.larger { + font-size: 150%; +} + +.noindent { + text-indent: 0; +} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + right: 4%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; +} + +.poetry-container { + text-align: center; +} + +.poetry { + display: inline-block; + text-align: left; +} + +.poetry .stanza { + margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; +} + +.poetry .verse { + padding-left: 3em; +} + +.poetry .indent0 { + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poetry .indent10 { + text-indent: 2.0em; +} + +.right { + text-align: right; +} + +.smaller { + font-size: 80%; +} + +.smcap { + font-variant: small-caps; + font-style: normal; +} + +.spacer { + margin-left: 5em; +} + +.titlepage { + text-align: center; + margin-top: 3em; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.x-ebookmaker img { + max-width: 100%; + width: auto; + height: auto; +} + +.x-ebookmaker .poetry { + display: block; + margin-left: 1.5em; +} + +.x-ebookmaker blockquote { + margin: 1.5em 5%; +} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp55 {width: 55%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp55 {width: 100%;} +.illowp47 {width: 47%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp47 {width: 100%;} + </style> + </head> + +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78891 ***</div> + +<main> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_i">[i]</span></p> + +<h1>FURTHER MEMOIRS OF<br> +THE WHIG PARTY<br> +<span class="smaller">1807-1821</span></h1> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ii">[ii]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="illus1" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><i>Henry Richard, 3rd Lord Holland</i></p> + <p><i>C. R. Leslie, Pinx.</i> + <span class="spacer"><i>Emery Walker Ph. Sc.</i></span></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii">[iii]</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage larger">FURTHER MEMOIRS OF<br> +THE WHIG PARTY 1807-1821<br> +<span class="smaller">WITH SOME MISCELLANEOUS<br> +REMINISCENCES</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage">BY HENRY RICHARD VASSALL<br> +THIRD LORD HOLLAND</p> + +<p class="center">EDITED BY LORD STAVORDALE</p> + +<p class="titlepage smaller">WITH PORTRAITS</p> + +<p class="titlepage">LONDON<br> +JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET<br> +<span class="smaller">1905</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv">[iv]</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage smaller">PRINTED BY<br> +HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD<br> +LONDON AND AYLESBURY.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[v]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE</h2> + +</div> + +<p class="center"><i>Hoc libro habes, ne sperne, quod restat mei.</i></p> + +<p>With these words, written on the bottom of one +of the boxes containing the MSS., Lord +Holland bequeaths to posterity this Memoir of his +times. Whatever may be the verdict of those who +peruse these pages and that portion of the work which +has already been published, it is at least desirable +that this expression of Lord Holland’s political feelings +and actions should be placed in the hands of the +public. The Memoirs were written expressly for +publication, and it is a pressing duty towards him to +rescue the result of his labours from the dusty shelves +where they have long lain unheeded and forgotten.</p> + +<p>Fifty years have now elapsed since the appearance +of the last published volume of the work which these +pages will complete. About ten years after his +father’s death, Henry Edward, fourth and last Lord +Holland, took in hand the publication of the Memoirs. +The <i>Foreign Reminiscences</i> appeared in 1851, the first +volume of the <i>Memoirs of the Whig Party</i> in 1852, and +the second volume in 1854. It is impossible to explain +why Lord Holland paused before the completion +of his task. Possibly at a future date some document +among the wealth of letters stored at Holland House +may throw light on what is at present shrouded in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[vi]</span>mystery. The point, however, is of slight importance; +and in all probability the state of Lord Holland’s +health during the last few years of his life (for he died +in 1859) will amply account for the postponement of +the undertaking.</p> + +<p>The four books or chapters under consideration +deal with the period of English history between 1807 +and 1821—years fraught with interest for the student +and lover of history. Full details are given of the +Prince Regent’s negotiations with the Whigs in 1809 +and 1812, and a rapid sketch of the principal events +and incidents of the last decade of George III.’s reign. +Lord Holland, however, distinctly states that the aim +and object of his labours were to record any incidents, +anecdotes, or intrigues which were not generally +known at the time, and which were unlikely to be +found in the recognised histories, periodicals, or +journals.</p> + +<p>With these political notes we have incorporated a +chapter called by the author his “Miscellaneous +Reminiscences,” a series of anecdotes and recollections +of the various literary celebrities and scientists +of note with whom he had chanced to become +acquainted.</p> + +<p>No one was better qualified than Lord Holland to +relate the political occurrences of these fifteen years. +He was recognised as one of the prominent leaders of +the party after his uncle Charles James Fox’s death; +and by his intimate connection with him was brought +in contact with many persons of note, who were +finishing their destined span of life when he had +barely entered the age of manhood.</p> + +<p>Henry Richard, third Lord Holland, was born in +1773 at Winterslow, near Salisbury. Before he was +two months old, he narrowly escaped death in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[vii]</span>burning of the house, and was only snatched from the +fire by the heroism of his mother. His father, Stephen +Fox, eldest son of Henry Fox, the Paymaster, who +was raised to the peerage in 1763 and died in 1774, +lived but six months after his accession to the title. +His mother, who was a daughter of John, first Earl of +Upper Ossory, and Evelyn, daughter of John, Earl +Gower, survived her husband by four years. The +boy was left to the care of his uncles, Lord Upper +Ossory and Charles James Fox, and was educated at +Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. On leaving the +University in 1792, he went abroad, and was absent +from England, with the exception of two or three +fleeting visits, until 1796. Part of those years were +spent in Spain, and from this period dates his love of +the literature and art of that country of romance, and +his interest in the political condition of its people. +Lord Holland passed the greater portion of the +remainder of those years in France and Italy. While +travelling in the latter country with his friend Lord +Wycombe (afterwards second Lord Lansdowne) in +1795, he met Elizabeth, Lady Webster, wife of Sir +Godfrey Webster, of Battle Abbey, in Sussex. The +chance meeting was destined to alter the whole +course of their lives. They became deeply attached +to one another, and after many months spent in +various parts of the Continent, returned to England +together in 1796. Sir Godfrey obtained a divorce in +July, 1797, and Lord Holland married her two days +later. One son was born before the marriage, afterwards +known as General Charles Fox and the +husband of Lady Mary FitzClarence, daughter of +William IV. and Mrs. Jordan.</p> + +<p>Lady Holland, who was a daughter of Richard +Vassall and Mary, daughter of Thomas Clark, of New +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[viii]</span>York, who afterwards became Lady Affleck, succeeded +to large properties in Jamaica after the death of her +father in 1795. The greater portion of her income +was made over to Sir Godfrey Webster at the time of +her divorce. On his death in 1800, Lady Holland +regained her own, and she and Lord Holland then +took the additional name of Vassall.</p> + +<p>Lord Holland’s political career commenced in 1798 +with his speech in the House of Lords on the Assessed +Taxes Bill, on which occasion he showed himself a +worthy representative of his family. It was not long +before he was recognised as the authorised exponent +of his uncle’s policy in the House of Lords. He +could not, however, at once shake off his love of +travel, which was shared by his wife. They were +abroad for some months in 1800, and passed through +France, although the two countries were still at war. +After the Peace of Amiens, the Hollands again +visited Paris, where they were joined by Mr. Fox. +They were then received in audience by the First +Consul. Indeed, the only times Lord Holland ever +saw the great man, whose prowess and understanding +he so revered, were during this stay in Paris. From +thence the Hollands went on to Spain, and did not +return to England till 1805.</p> + +<p>Lord Holland received no office in Lord Grenville’s +Administration until after the death of his uncle. +He then entered the Cabinet as Lord Privy Seal; +but his tenure of the post was of short duration, +as the Tory party returned to office early in 1807. +For the next twenty-three years he remained in +Opposition, and took a leading part in the counsels +of the party during that period. In 1830 Lord Grey +formed a Ministry, in which Lord Holland accepted +the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[ix]</span>with a seat in the Cabinet. This he retained until +his death in 1840, with the exception of the short +interval in 1834-35, when his party were out of office. +He was buried at Millbrook, in Bedfordshire, near +Ampthill, which had been bequeathed to him by Lord +Upper Ossory on his death in 1818. He left besides +General Charles Fox, one son, Henry Edward, who +succeeded to the title, and one daughter, Mary, who +married Lord Lilford and died in 1891. Lady Holland +survived him and died in 1845.</p> + +<p>For some years before his death Lord Holland’s +health was a source of much anxiety to his friends. +Constant attacks of gout had sapped his strength, +and he became, at times, little more than a cripple. +These afflictions, however, had no power to cloud +his natural good-humour, or subdue that buoyancy +of spirits which made his society so sought after by +his acquaintances. His classical education, his fund +of universal knowledge, his retentive memory, and +store of anecdotes, all combined to increase the +inimitable charm of his conversation. It would be +impossible in a few words to do justice to that +noble character, beloved by all with whom he came +in contact. It would be easy to descant on his +good nature and benevolence, the simplicity and +happiness of his domestic life, his artistic and literary +tastes, and his desire to alleviate the sufferings of +his fellow creatures. But it is rather to his political +views and surroundings that we must devote our +short remaining space.</p> + +<p>Lord Holland held an intermediate position between +the Ultra-Whig or Radical section of the party, and +the more moderate portion—the followers of Lord +Grenville—whose sentiments differed but little from +the avowed policy of many individual members of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">[x]</span>the Tory Government. He was unwilling to go the +length desired by the extremists, whose ideal was the +French Revolution and the changes consequent on it. +Possibly had he seen a way to effect a sweeping alteration +in the forms of British government by a gradual +and orderly process, he would have countenanced the +change from regal power to a constitution based on +democratic principles. Certainly the word Monarchy +was no fetish in his eyes, and his dislike to that +recognised form of government was increased by the +refusal of George III. and his successor to deal with +the Roman Catholic question. But any form of excess +was to him a thing unspeakable, and, as every important +revolutionary movement in his time was +attended by an outbreak of popular frenzy, his +sentiments of humanity overcame the desire for +fundamental change.</p> + +<p>In truth, the aim and object of Lord Holland’s +political career was universal toleration, combined +with a recognition of the legitimate rights of mankind. +His unwavering support was consistently given to +every motion which tended to relieve the oppressed +and assist the persecuted. The Abolition of the Slave +Trade, Improvements of the Penal Code, Religious +Toleration, and Catholic Emancipation were each one +step further towards the attainment of his ends.</p> + +<p>His efforts in the House of Lords were seldom +crowned with the success they deserved. The Whig +peers were but few in number, and their divergent +views on the great questions of the day rendered any +combined action difficult. Lord Holland held very +strong views on the duties of any public character, and +was, in consequence, led to take action on occasions +when he knew that no effective result could be obtained. +In speeches and protests in the Journals of the House +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">[xi]</span>he strove to place on record the principles of the +party, and to impress on his friends the necessity of +further exertions at some future and more appropriate +moment. His speeches were replete with valuable +information, and form important evidence of the +varied resources of his mind. His arguments were +clear and weighty; his reasoning relevant and sound. +If his delivery was halting, and his diction at times +somewhat confused, it was from wealth, not from +poverty, of words and matter that he suffered. Lord +Brougham tells us that on occasions his speeches +reached nearly to the level of his uncle’s in excellence. +Certainly, like Mr. Fox, he shone as a debater; +and this is not the less remarkable from the fact +that he had never received the assistance and +training of the House of Commons to develop his +powers.</p> + +<p>The Memoir was written to serve as a record of +the internal history of the Whig party, and as such +Lord Holland stated his case from a Whig point of +view. Political feeling at the beginning of the +nineteenth century was far more virulent than in +the present day. The line between the opposing +parties was much more strictly drawn: and it was +but a few years before that the relations between +the leaders of each side were limited to invectives +hurled across the table of the House of Commons. +Lord Holland tells us that this state of things was +undergoing a gradual alteration in his time, and +mentions “the difference which a change in the habits +of society has insensibly wrought in political parties.” +As a politician he viewed this change with no very +favourable eye, for he goes on to say: “The comparative +disuse of men dinners, improving no doubt +the intercourse of private life, has nevertheless very +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xii">[xii]</span>sensibly impaired the strength and union of party +zeal and connection.”</p> + +<p>The narrative compares very closely with other +memoirs and histories of the time. More especially +is the resemblance noticeable in the recently published +<i>Creevey Papers</i>, for both are written from the same +standpoint. The history of the negotiations of 1809 +and 1812, and the dissensions which later arose in the +Whig Party, are but two instances of particulars +which correspond almost exactly in each account. +In a few unimportant cases the author’s memory has +played him false, and these errors we have attempted +to point out in our footnotes. But in all essential +facts the relation is strictly in agreement with the +established and recognised authorities on the period. +Though written some years after the transactions +referred to, most of the substance is collated from +extensive notes, and if the authority is obscure or +ground of reference uncertain, that doubt is definitely +stated. Lord Holland, in a note to the earlier volumes +of the work, lays great stress on the mention of the +exact date at which each special passage was written, +as tending to assist the elucidation of historical truths, +and we have therefore been careful to retain these +at the commencement of each chapter.</p> + +<p>In dealing with the characters of individual statesmen +and celebrities of the day, Lord Holland has +in a few cases been led by his personal feelings +to depart from his customary sense of justice. +The chief sufferer in this respect is the Duke of +Wellington, whose policy and actions are held up to +opprobrium, often on scanty and insufficient grounds. +His worst offence in Lord Holland’s eyes seems to +have been his conduct in Paris, and his failure to +save Ney from execution; and from that time the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</span>favourable opinion of him formed in the Peninsular +War makes way for a deepening mistrust of his ulterior +motives. Similarly his conception of George III.’s +disposition and mental qualities is deeply coloured +with the Whig prejudice; while the Regent obtains +scant mercy at his hands, after his repudiation of his +obligations to the party. In most instances, however, +Lord Holland attempts to provide for his readers +a fair and unbiassed estimate of the characters he +delineates. In dealing with several of his political +connections he finds himself obliged to pass censure +on their aims and on incidents connected with their +careers; but he does so with obvious reluctance, and +tells us in Sheridan’s case that he has done so, “from +an apprehension that the false glitter thrown over +the darker shades of his portrait might injure the +truth of the more general picture of public men.”</p> + +<p>The Memoir has been published as it stands, with +the exception of two or three short passages and +notes, which were considered unnecessary. Two +long letters dealing with the negotiations of 1812 +have been omitted, as they are already published in +the <i>Annual Register</i> for that year. An interesting +conversation dealing with the <i>Junius</i> controversy +has been added to the Appendix; for though no +reference is made to the subject in the text, the +paper was placed among the other manuscripts. Lord +Holland’s intentions were to extend his narrative +over the period of the Whig return to power in 1830; +but death cut short his labours and even prevented +a revision of portions of the Memoir. The text is, +therefore, occasionally somewhat confused, and words +that have been inserted to supply the sense will be +found in square [] brackets. These have also been +used for the editorial notes to distinguish them from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</span>Lord Holland’s, which are signed with the initial +letters of his usual signature, <i>Vassall Holland</i>.</p> + +<p>At the commencement of each chapter has been +placed a short sketch of the history of the period +in question. These are intended solely for the use +of readers who desire to be reminded of the outlines +of events in England and on the Continent +during those years. To understand certain portions +of the narrative a clear and accurate knowledge of +the times is needed, for it was written and intended +for many whose own memories would carry them +back to the days in which the events took place. +Lapse of time has altered these conditions, and has +rendered notes and explanatory paragraphs desirable, +which were unnecessary when the earlier portions of +the work were published.</p> + +<p class="right">STAVORDALE.</p> + +<p><i>May, 1905.</i></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xv">[xv]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> + +</div> + +<nav> +<table> + <tr> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg smaller">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE FIRST</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#INTRODUCTION_TO_BOOK_THE_FIRST">1</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>BOOK THE FIRST (1807-1810)</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#BOOK_THE_FIRST">8</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE SECOND</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#INTRODUCTION_TO_BOOK_THE_SECOND">67</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>BOOK THE SECOND (1810 TO JUNE, 1812)</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#BOOK_THE_SECOND">71</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE THIRD</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#INTRODUCTION_TO_BOOK_THE_THIRD">151</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>BOOK THE THIRD (1812-1815)</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#BOOK_THE_THIRD">157</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>INTRODUCTION TO BOOK THE FOURTH</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#INTRODUCTION_TO_BOOK_THE_FOURTH">203</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>BOOK THE FOURTH (1815-1821)</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#BOOK_THE_FOURTH">210</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>MISCELLANEOUS RECOLLECTIONS (A SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER BEGUN IN 1826)</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#MISCELLANEOUS_RECOLLECTIONS">307</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>APPENDIX A: LORD STRANGFORD’S DISPATCH</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#APPENDIX_A">393</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>APPENDIX B: THE PRINCE REGENT’S VIEWS ON THE ROMAN CATHOLIC QUESTION</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#APPENDIX_B">396</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>APPENDIX C: LORD HOLLAND TO LORD GREY</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#APPENDIX_C">400</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>APPENDIX D: JUNIUS LETTERS</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#APPENDIX_D">404</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>INDEX</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#INDEX">407</a></td> + </tr> +</table> +</nav> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xvi">[xvi]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +</div> + +<table> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Henry Richard, Third Lord Holland</span></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus1"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">By <i>Leslie</i>, Holland House.</td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg smaller">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Francis Horner</span></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus2">46</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">By <i>Sir Henry Raeburn</i>, National Portrait Gallery.</td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Peter, Seventh Lord King</span></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus3">104</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">By <i>Hoppner</i>, Holland House.</td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Charles, Second Earl Grey, 1811</span></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus4">138</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">By <i>T. Phillips</i>, Holland House.</td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Princess Charlotte of Wales</span></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus5">200</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">By <i>Sir T. Lawrence</i>, Abbotsbury Castle.<br>Given + by the Prince Regent to Maria, Countess Ilchester.</td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Charles, Third Lord Stanhope</span></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus6">246</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">By <i>Opie</i>, Holland House.</td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Sir Samuel Romilly</span></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus7">262</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">By <i>Hoppner</i>, Holland House.</td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">John Hookham Frere</span></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus8">316</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">By <i>Sir M. Archer Shee</i>, Holland House.</td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="LORD_HOLLANDS_MEMOIRS_OF">LORD HOLLAND’S MEMOIRS OF<br> +THE WHIG PARTY</h2> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION_TO_BOOK_THE_FIRST">INTRODUCTION +TO BOOK THE FIRST</h2> + +</div> + +<p>The second volume of Lord Holland’s Memoirs, +published in 1854, brings his account of the +fortunes of the Whig party down to the autumn of +1807. That year had witnessed the resignation of +the Ministry “of all the talents,” after barely a year +in office. George III.’s hostility to his Ministers +throughout the period was patent to all observers; +and he was nothing loth to accelerate their downfall +on the question of Roman Catholic relief—a rock +which had caused the wreck of other combinations +in past years. Lord Holland, who took the office +of Lord Privy Seal after Mr. Fox’s death, fully +relates the circumstances of their dismissal and +the consequent General Election. The Tory party +was re-established in office under the leadership of +the Duke of Portland; but his colleagues were for +the most part men of moderate and slender abilities, +and their views on many of the burning questions +of the day showed a lack of unanimity which foreboded +ill for the success of the Administration. Yet +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span>such is the uncertainty of political forecasts that the +chief figures in this Cabinet were able to hold their +own for the next twenty years, notwithstanding the +strenuous and repeated efforts of the Whigs to supersede +them. Lord Holland goes on to mention the +election of Mr. George Ponsonby to the leadership +of the Opposition in the House of Commons, and +gives a short account of the chief incidents of the +ensuing Session of Parliament.</p> + +<p>On the Continent Napoleon was rapidly rising to +the zenith of his power. The campaign of 1806 had +crushed the Prussian armies, and that country lay +at the mercy of the conqueror. The Berlin Decree +had struck what he hoped was a death-blow to the +commerce of England. Austria was neutral; and +the French victories at Eylau and Friedland had +indisposed Russia to continue the struggle single-handed. +It is true that the King of Prussia and the +Czar had only that year concluded a treaty pledging +themselves to carry on the war, but the latter was +secretly wavering, and was, besides, greatly incensed +at the attitude of the English Government. On the +accession of the Whigs to power, the recognised Tory +policy of subsidies to the Allied Powers and the loan +of troops was discontinued, and a system of small +expeditions, such as those to the Dardanelles and +Buenos Ayres, resorted to. Alexander, unable to +comprehend the change of front occasioned by the +system of party politics in England, looked on this +reversal of pledges given to him as a personal slight, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span>and was not to be reconciled by renewed promises +of assistance in 1807. A meeting was arranged +between him and Napoleon at Tilsit, which resulted +in the conclusion of a treaty of peace between +France, Russia, and Prussia, and the formation of +a secret alliance against Great Britain.</p> + +<p>Early intelligence of the secret clauses of the treaty +and the storm which was likely to break over Great +Britain reached Canning, the Foreign Secretary, and +drastic measures were at once resolved upon to meet +the crisis. Napoleon had excluded English commerce +from every Continental port, and it seemed probable +that he would also make use of every vessel of war +in them to further his schemes. Under these circumstances +the English Cabinet resolved to obtain +possession of any foreign fleets which it was possible +to lay hands on, and thus diminish the number of +ships which might be added to the fleets of France. +In accordance with this policy an expedition was +despatched against Copenhagen; the town was bombarded, +the Danish fleet taken into English custody, +and the Russian fleet denied access to the open sea +by an English force stationed at the mouth of the +Baltic. The same considerations gave rise to the +expedition to Cadiz, where lay the remains of the +Spanish and French fleet defeated at Trafalgar; and +that to Lisbon. Portugal had nominally declared war +against Great Britain in 1807 at the bidding of +Napoleon; but the latter soon threw off the mask +of friendship, and ordered Junot to invade and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span>subjugate the country. The House of Braganza +thereupon decided to embark in their fleet for Brazil, +and carried out this determination, leaving Lisbon +in the hands of the French.</p> + +<p>The covetous eye of the Emperor had been cast +on Spain, and that country, not Portugal, was the +real object of his machinations. By a trick he +obtained possession of the persons of Charles IV. +and Ferdinand his son, who had become King by +the abdication of his father in March, 1808. They +were forced to resign their right to the throne of +Spain, and in June of the same year Joseph Bonaparte +was proclaimed King. In the meanwhile the Spanish +people rose in arms against the French, and the +whole country was in a seething state of uproar. +Delegates were sent from the various provinces to +England, asking for assistance against the invader. +This request was granted, and an expedition was +despatched to the coast of Portugal. Junot was +forced to evacuate that country by the terms of the +Convention of Cintra; but the British operations in +Spain were not attended with the same success. Sir +John Moore, misled by false information, attempted to +advance on Madrid, but found himself confronted by +Napoleon himself, who had recently met and defeated +the Spanish armies in detail. Immediate retreat +became a necessity, and the campaign closed with +Moore’s death at Coruña and the successful re-embarkation +of his troops.</p> + +<p>The Emperor was unable to remain in Spain long +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span>enough to see the result of his handiwork; rumours +of hostile preparations on the part of Austria caused +him to return hurriedly to Paris. The truth was, +that the checks experienced by the French at the +hands of the Spanish troops had inspired fresh +courage in the breasts of Austrian and Prussian +statesmen, who began to perceive that the development +of a national and patriotic spirit might be used with +more success against the dreaded legions of France +than intrigues and coalitions of Cabinets. Prussia +made an abortive attempt to assert her independence, +but it was rudely repressed, and Austria was left +alone in her fight for freedom. War broke out in +April, 1809; but though the Archduke Charles managed +to defeat the French at Aspern, his immense losses +minimised the result of his victory, and the hard-fought +battle of Wagram two months later left the +Austrian armies incapable of continuing the struggle. +Reluctantly the Court of Vienna consented to a +treaty of peace, which deprived the country of fifty +thousand square miles of territory.</p> + +<p>Two expeditions were despatched from England +in 1809: one to Sicily under Sir John Stewart, +which met with no permanent success; the other to +Walcheren and the mouth of the Scheldt. The +ulterior object of the latter enterprise was the +destruction of the French fleet then building at +Antwerp, and the conception that of Lord +Castlereagh, the War Minister. Had the Cabinet +sanctioned its despatch early in the year, when +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span>Napoleon’s fortunes were for the moment at a low +ebb, it is probable that all would have been well. +As it was, a bold and expeditious line of action +would probably have accomplished all that was +desired; but, on the contrary, sloth and inaction +prevailed and doomed to complete failure the largest +and most costly expedition which had ever, up to +that period, left the shores of Great Britain.</p> + +<p>The unpopularity of Lord Castlereagh with the +public was increased by the ill-success of his scheme; +and he discovered about the same time that his dismissal +from office had been for some time determined +on by his colleagues in the Cabinet headed by Canning. +Believing that the latter was prompted by a desire +for self-advancement, Castlereagh challenged him to +a duel, and shot him through the thigh. Both +Ministers resigned, and in the subsequent readjustment +of places, Mr. Perceval became Prime Minister, +with Lord Wellesley as Foreign Secretary and Lord +Liverpool as Secretary for War.</p> + +<p>Public opinion had been greatly excited early in +the year by the accusations brought against the Duke +of York of selling commissions in the Army through +the instrumentality of his mistress, Mrs. Clarke. An +investigation of the charge took place in the House +of Commons, and it was proved that the Duke had +no guilty knowledge of the proceedings. He thought +right, however, to resign his office of Commander-in-Chief, +which was given to Sir David Dundas.</p> + +<p>Sir Arthur Wellesley, who had been appointed to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span>the supreme command in Portugal, invaded Spain +in June, and advanced on Madrid. He received no +information of Soult’s presence on his flank; and +though he signally defeated Marshal Victor at +Talavera, was unable to maintain his position, and +was forced to retreat on Portugal. During the +winter he employed his time in forming the ring of +fortifications round Lisbon known as the Lines of +Torres Vedras, with the intention of retiring thither +in case of necessity, after devastating the country +and denying to the enemy any possibility of obtaining +local supplies. Complete success attended his +designs; and when Massena, who had arrived in Spain +covered with glory won at the battles of Aspern and +Wagram, followed the British into Portugal, he +found it impossible to maintain his troops there, and +retired from the country.</p> + +<p>Napoleon found time after the Treaty of Vienna +to turn his attention to more personal matters than +the subjugation of nations. He divorced his wife, +Josephine, and with the assistance of Metternich, +the new Austrian Minister, prevailed on the Emperor +Francis to give him his daughter, Marie Louise, in +marriage. Austria was thus for some years bound +to his cause; but Alexander, on the other hand, +fell away and dissolved his connection with the +Continental System. The Emperor continued his +policy of the aggrandisement of France during 1810 +by the annexation of the Papal States and Holland, +and his dominion then reached its widest bounds.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="BOOK_THE_FIRST">BOOK THE FIRST<br> +1807-1810</h2> + +<p class="center smaller">N.B.—Copied in 1824. Written between December, 1817, and +December, 1818.</p> + +</div> + +<p>In the latter end of the Session of 1808 the public +attention was diverted from domestic occurrences, +and indeed from Parliament itself, to events +on the Peninsula of Spain. They changed the aspect +of affairs both at home and abroad, and led ultimately +to those extraordinary revolutions by which the next +seven years were distinguished. These notes are +devoted to English politics, and however some +documents and recollections within my reach might +illustrate the history of Spain during that period, it +is my intention to confine myself <i>here</i> to such occurrences +as have immediate reference to our domestic +parties. Some account, however, of the campaigns +on the Peninsula is necessary, to explain the state of +parties in England and the character and circumstances +of those who took a part in them.</p> + +<p>I have not hitherto adverted to the emigration of +the Court of Lisbon to the Brazils, though it took +place in November, 1807, and was much connected +with English politics.⁠<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> It was in truth so interwoven +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span>with the state in which our armies found +that part of the Peninsula, that in relating the +ensuing campaign I must have fallen into some +repetition. The Portuguese Minister, the Chevalier +d’Aranjo (who was all along suspected of promoting +the designs of the French, and was certainly in +secret correspondence with them, though possibly, +and indeed probably, with the somewhat less criminal +design of deceiving them), always assured me that the +Prince Regent of Portugal would, as he was in policy +bound to do, submit to almost anything to avoid a +French invasion; but that whenever he despaired of +averting that calamity, he would throw himself into +the arms of the English, and emigrate to Rio Janeiro +with all his family and Court, rather than hold a +nominal and precarious authority under a French +garrison in his own dominions. This previous view +of the subject, not Lord Strangford’s⁠<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> negotiations, +induced him to resort to that measure; and he was on +board the ship before that Minister landed, and under +weigh, if he had not actually crossed the bar, before +he had any interview with the person who in a +public dispatch strongly implies that his previous +representations and promises, if not an audience on +November 28 in Lisbon, had prevailed on him to +embark.⁠<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>⁠</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span></p> + +<p>Lord Strangford arrived in London with the news +of the safe departure of the Court from the Tagus, +before the official intelligence which he had sent by +another ship reached the office. He had leisure +during his voyage to improve the story he had invented, +and he made the whole so dramatic that Mr. +Canning, in the first fervour of gratitude, gave him +a riband; promised him the appointment to Rio +Janeiro; offered him an Irish earldom, which, as Mr. +Canning expressed it, he had the <i>modesty</i> to refuse; +and above all pressed him most earnestly to write a +full account of the animating tale he had related in +the shape of a dispatch, and to date it, “<i>Off the Tagus</i>.” +He accordingly complied; and in observance of the +rules of fiction which both as a poet and a politician +he had studied and practised so successfully</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">Servetur ad imum</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Qualis ab incepto processerit,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">he composed an epistle in Reddish’s Hotel, St. James’s +Street, as true, or rather as false, as the date of it. +It was published, while the ink of the original was +yet wet, in the official Gazette of the country!⁠<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> Mr. +Canning must have been thunderstruck when he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span>received the original dispatch, and discovered many +variations in the second edition. He was, however, +either too vain to acknowledge himself a dupe or +too good-natured to expose the impostor. So far, +therefore, from disavowing Lord Strangford, he appointed +him Minister to Rio Janeiro, where, notwithstanding +his detected falsehoods and other misconduct, +he was continued for many years against the better +judgment of his various employers, through the +contrivances of the Portuguese Ambassador, Souza⁠<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> +(Count Funchal), and the interest of his relation +and protector, the Duke of Northumberland. Mr. +Brougham, who saw him frequently, did not spare +him in the <i>Morning Chronicle</i>; indeed, he dwelt so +much on the subject that I intimated to him and to +Mr. Perry, the proprietor, that it was growing tiresome. +Whether by the contrivance of Mr. Brougham +to avenge himself of this criticism, or by pure accident, +I know not, but certain it is that Lord Strangford +has always imputed those just but severe strictures +on his conduct to me, and with exquisite judgment +complained to Mr. Brougham, the real author, of the +malignity and inveteracy with which they were penned.</p> + +<p>To return, however, to my narrative. Some regiments, +detached from Sicily to co-operate with a +squadron for compelling the Portuguese and Russian +fleets on the Tagus to surrender in case the Prince +of Brazil had not determined to sail for America, +were on the coast; an expedition, which I have +already adverted to as prepared during our Ministry, +was at Cork⁠<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>⁠; and a small army, sent to the King of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>Sweden under the command of Sir John Moore, was +released from that service by the dis-agreements which +occurred between that King and the English general. +All these forces were ready to act when the intelligence +of the revolution in Spain reached England.⁠<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>It was brought thither at the end of May, or beginning +of June, 1808, from the Asturias by Matarosa +and Don Andres de la Vega: the first, a young nobleman +afterwards better known by the name of Count +Torreno; the latter, a provincial lawyer, who united +to considerable sagacity and unblemished integrity +great sobriety of judgment and a character capable +of inspiring and of feeling confidence. He afterwards +laboured to counteract the effects of that suspicion +which both in and out of Cortes was estranging the +Spaniards from their allies; but he died of the yellow +fever at Cadiz before he acquired all the fame he +deserved, and before the healing qualities of his +temper could be applied to the prevention of those +calamities which the return of King Ferdinand so +unexpectedly produced. His modest character and +inferior rank, the extreme youth of Matarosa, and +the comparative insignificance of the province of the +Asturias, made our Government hesitate till the arrival +of the Galician and Andalusian deputies, men not +equal in capacity, but of higher rank by birth or +station. Admiral Apodaca, though, in truth, selected +to screen him from the resentment of the multitude +for having signed a proclamation favourable to the +French and not for any proof of zeal against them, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>had a very prepossessing appearance, and a manner +which announced more knowledge of the world and +talents of business than he really possessed. These +circumstances, and a confirmation of the simultaneous +rising throughout Spain on St. Ferdinand’s Day +(May 25), determined our Government to afford all +possible aid to the first popular resistance which +the aggressions of Napoleon had encountered. Mr. +Whitbread and some other Whigs, but especially that +genuine though sober lover of freedom “wherever +pleaded,” Mr. Horner,⁠<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> caught the flame which such +a contest was likely to kindle in every generous +breast. Lord Grey, while his first impressions were +yet warm, wrote me word that had he been in office +I should have been despatched to the insurgents +without loss of time. Some of the Ministers were less +sanguine than the public; and Lord Westmorland,⁠<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> +in a phrase characteristic of his feelings and taste, +said, “The Spaniards had got into a d——d scrape, +and if we did not look sharp they would drag us into +it too.”</p> + +<p>Count Florida Blanca⁠<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> and my amiable, philosophical +friend, Don Gaspar Melchior de Jovellanos,⁠<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> +on acceding to the cause of the insurgents, wrote +to me to convey the intelligence to our Government. +I forwarded their respective letters, with a translation, +to the Secretary of State’s office, and a copy of my +answers, in which I pointedly disclaimed all connection +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>or influence with any Ministry, but expressed my +private conviction that every Englishman in or out +of our Councils would be forward in assisting Spain +in so arduous and so honourable a struggle. I +observed that Mr. Canning took very slight notice +of these communications, which, considering the +character and station of the writers, were not unimportant. +I have since ascertained that he took +umbrage at my writing to the Under-Secretary of +State and not to himself, which I did from an +unwillingness to give my correspondence too great +an air of importance or an appearance of obtruding +either inquiry or opinion of mine on the Government.</p> + +<p>On my applying soon afterwards for a passport to +travel in Spain, he wrote me a letter of misplaced +admonition; which I answered in a way to show +him that I should regulate myself by my own notions +of propriety without considering his, and that I did +not conceive a Secretary of State, in granting a +passport to an English gentleman, had any authority +or occasion to read him a lecture as to his intercourse +with foreigners. This little incident and other traits +which occurred at the same time were indications +of that personal vanity and flippancy which have +often obstructed his ambitious designs by raising him +enemies most unnecessarily, and which are the real +defects of his character rather than weaknesses of +a baser nature at that time very generally, but at +all times very falsely, imputed to him. In our party +Lord Grenville, swayed by Mr. Wickham,⁠<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> who +deemed French armies invincible, and Mr. Brougham, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>who had written himself into a persuasion that everything +which postponed peace must terminate in +disaster, took in the course of the summer a very +despondent view of the contest on the Peninsula; +but the Duke of Norfolk was the only man who +in 1808 publicly deprecated the policy of assisting +the Spaniards. The Convention of Cintra, the retreat +of Sir John Moore, the defeat and the dispersion +of the Spanish armies, and the arguments in the +<i>Edinburgh Review</i>, converted many to the same opinion +in the course of a few months. Even Mr. Windham, +with all his ardour for war and hatred of the French, +was at moments startled at the apparition of liberty +which the patriots occasionally summoned to their +aid, and at a subsequent period was scared at the +notion of resisting Napoleon himself by anything +approaching to democratical principles.</p> + +<p>The troops I have described above⁠<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> were employed +in the first instance and in the absence of Sir John +Moore, who was personally detained some time in +Sweden, to rescue Portugal from the French. They +were placed for that purpose under the command +of Sir Arthur Wellesley. The King disapproved of +entrusting so important an expedition to a General +so low in the list. He insisted on some older officer +superseding him if the force were augmented. These +objections of His Majesty led to the appointments +of Sir Hew Dalrymple and Sir Harry Burrard, which +occasioned no little confusion. The brilliant battle +of Vimiero and the Convention of Cintra,⁠<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> which, +though it sacrificed some advantages, at least liberated +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>the west coast of the Peninsula from all French armies, +are all matters of history.</p> + +<p>The circumstances relating to them were well sifted +at the time, and I know of no private or unpublished +fact which would further illustrate them. The success +in Portugal, however incomplete, was considered by +all as necessarily the forerunner of some more extensive +undertaking, but the Generals there employed +were for different reasons incapacitated from the command +of any immediate and greater expedition. The +appointment of a commander became the subject of +much public speculation and anxiety, and no doubt of +as much secret deliberation and private intrigue. The +popular writers affected to apprehend that the Duke +of York was destined by Court favour to that important +service. It is indeed probable that his father countenanced +such pretensions; and till the subsequent career +of Sir Arthur Wellesley enabled him without self-disparagement +to acquiesce in any appointment founded +on a series of triumphs, it is natural to suppose that +a Prince of the Blood at the head of the army was +somewhat unwilling to admit his failures to be disqualifications +for a command to which no rival could +aspire on the plea of any splendid or popular success. +The public, and the Ministry perhaps, thought otherwise. +Cobbett and other writers employed their +memory and their wit to expose his incapacity in +the field; and a pamphlet, written in a mysterious tone +of insinuation and menace, prepared a way for the +charges which were afterwards preferred against him. +It proceeded from a cabal, with which some persons +in the Duke of Kent’s family were reported to have +a connection. Ministers possibly were not displeased +at having it in their power to plead the existence of +popular clamour and prejudice against an appointment, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>which for many stronger but less courtly +reasons they wished to avoid. But Sir John Moore, +the only person whom they could venture to recommend +to so extensive and important a command, +never enjoyed their confidence either before or after +his appointment.⁠<a id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> His support at home in case of +misfortune must have appeared to him precarious, +and he assumed the command in a temper of distrust +very natural, and in some views laudable, but not very +propitious to the success of a cause depending more +upon passion than calculation, nor encouraging to +a people whose main resource consisted in an inward +and rooted persuasion that they were invincible.</p> + +<p>With great and very unusual qualities of understanding +and disposition, Sir John Moore was perhaps +less adapted to the command to which he was appointed +than to any other to which his destiny could +have called him. He was, indeed, the most accomplished +soldier in our army. He united firmness, +knowledge, and sagacity, to great military skill and +zeal for his profession and his country. He had +shown decision of character in the field of action, +and never betrayed any want of it in such commands +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>as he had been entrusted with. Nor was this all. +The attachment of numerous, and among them the +most sensible, officers in the army, and the veneration +in which his memory was held by them even after +his disaster and death, cannot be accounted for by +the active praise of his relations and countrymen,⁠<a id="FNanchor_16" href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> +but prove that he really possessed those virtues +which confer on a commander an authority over +the opinions and wishes as well as the actions of his +followers. But as he could not feel, so neither could +he inspire, confidence in any but a regular force. His +affections were limited to British officers, and he was +either unwilling or unable to court the goodwill +or humour the weaknesses of any other. His high +spirit would not stoop to countenance either absurdity +or exaggeration; he disdained, perhaps he undervalued, +the advantages which, in a moment of national +ferment, some extravagance of hopes and even of +expressions may produce.⁠<a id="FNanchor_17" href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> He knew the superiority +of English troops over the undisciplined and ill-officered +bands of their allies; and if not childishly +complacent in displaying, he was at least at no pains +to conceal, his sentiments on that subject.</p> + +<p>He could not rely on the statements or depend on +the skill of the Spaniards with whom he came in contact, +and he soon let them know that he had made +that discovery. Anxious not to forfeit his military +reputation, he probably expressed less ardour in the +cause than he evinced apprehension of reproach should +he risk the safety of so large a British force; and the +tone of circumspection and diffidence at headquarters +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>spread through the army, and tended, no doubt, to +produce in some degree that backwardness to co-operate +with them in the natives, which he quotes +so often in his notes and correspondence as a proof +of their want of enthusiasm. In the last and most +important epoch of his life he put himself in the +right in all his differences with others; but it is +observable that, though in the right, he did always +differ with those whose co-operation and concert were +most necessary to his success.</p> + +<p>Before he took the command of the army, Ministers +should have sent him to the Spanish Governments +then forming, or should have selected at his recommendation +some military man with whom he was in +the habits of confidence. The choice, however, fell +on my friend, Mr. Frere,⁠<a id="FNanchor_18" href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> a man of a warm and +generous disposition, of singular and original wit, +and of great literary accomplishments, who was +zealous in the cause of Spain. He had, it is true, +contributed to our rupture with that country in 1804 +and to the scandalous capture of the frigates; but +his personal quarrel with the Prince of the Peace⁠<a id="FNanchor_19" href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> +might well be expected to atone for all such offences, +in the eyes of a nation irritated even to madness +against that favourite. His anti-Gallican spirit, too, +somewhat extravagant elsewhere, was congenial with +the feelings of Spaniards, and not unlikely to inspire +them with confidence in him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span></p> + +<p>These considerations and his intimacy with Mr. +Canning were his recommendations. He had no other: +with all his ardour, reading, talents, and humour, he +was a bad man of business. His manners, repulsive at +all times to new acquaintance, became yet more so +when the importance of the affairs in which he was +engaged rendered him absent and pompous. Thus +distant to some and suspicious of all, he was often the +dupe of low and designing men, and yet oftener of +his own imagination. He had no knowledge of men’s +characters, and even when he adopted their ideas and +approved of their conduct, was neither communicative +nor cordial in his official intercourse with them. His +habitual absence assumed, when he was in a public +capacity, the appearance of haughty demeanour and +self-sufficiency; and though entirely exempt from such +vices, he preferred incurring the imputation of them to +the acknowledgment of the more venial infirmities of +inattention, indolence, or forgetfulness. In his correspondence +with Sir John Moore he showed great want +of judgment in collecting intelligence, was unaccountably +remiss in conveying such as he did collect, and +culpably presumptuous and offensive in the tone and +substance of his advice and remonstrances.</p> + +<p>The General, from the commencement, was disposed +to remain on or near the frontiers of Portugal, and +averse to any forward movement, especially after the +discomfiture of Blake in Biscay and Castanos in +Arragon. He wavered, however, either from want of +accurate intelligence or from the earnest representations +of Mr. Frere. By that irresolution some time +was lost in forming his junction with Sir David +Baird,⁠<a id="FNanchor_20" href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> who had landed at Coruña; and between the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>project of retreating by Portugal or Galicia the necessary +preparations were completed in neither. When +it was determined to retreat through Galicia, Admiral +de Courcy, who commanded at Coruña, was directed +to prepare the transports at that port <i>or</i> at Vigo, +according to his judgment as to which port was most +favourable for the embarkation of troops in the face +of an enemy. On that subject no seaman could +doubt. Ships can anchor in Vigo Bay beyond the +reach of cannon, and, even if driven from thence, the +islands at the mouth of the harbour afford water for +an army and a road with tolerable anchorage for a +fleet, where they could lie for a favourable wind +in safety from any attack but such as supposes a +superiority at sea in the enemy.</p> + +<p>Thither, therefore, most of the transports were sent +early in December, 1808, and there Sir Samuel Hood, +detached with a large squadron of men-of-war, found +them. While they lay there, that is, for more than +a month, the wind continued from the eastward, and +would have rendered it difficult and tedious for them +to beat up to Coruña. Sir John Moore, before he +left Lugo on January 9, sent orders to Vigo to +bring the transports to Coruña, but the messenger +lost the dispatch and arrived without it. Captain +Capel,⁠<a id="FNanchor_21" href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> however, on the 13th or 14th, received another +and private letter from the army. There was a hasty +note on the cover, written, I think, in pencil, and +nearly obliterated by the carriage and damp weather. +It mentioned the orders to retreat on Coruña, and +after some consultation Sir Samuel Hood inferred +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>from it that the lost dispatch must have contained +orders to sail from that port. The wind, as if to +favour that design, suddenly changed to the south +and south-west. It blew fresh, but the whole fleet +weighed anchor, put to sea, and actually entered +the Bay of Coruña on the evening of the 15th, with +a stiff breeze which, both from its strength and +direction, would have impeded, if not prevented, its +sailing out of the same bay in the face of an enemy.</p> + +<p>Sir John Moore had been there four days, and the +French army had come up to him more than forty-eight +hours before the transports arrived. Had the +wind that brought them continued, they would +scarcely have improved the prospects of the English +army. But during the night of the 15th and the +ensuing day, while the battle was yet fighting, it +came round more and more to the eastward, and +was so favourable in the afternoon that the greater +part of the troops, though in considerable confusion, +were not only on board, but actually at sea the very +night of the action, which did not commence till about +midday on the 16th. The General, who, after a painful +campaign, had fallen as it closed, was “buried sadly” +at dead of night, and left, as the melancholy dirge +expresses it, “to his glory”: which, however, is not +only commemorated in that very beautiful composition, +and in the Latin inscription written by Dr. Parr +on his monument at Coruña, but must live in the +recollection of the English army, and be preserved +by every impartial historian of the time.</p> + +<p>The particulars I have related prove, indeed, that +the transports should either never have been sent +to Vigo, or the retreat should have been made upon +that place; not perhaps from Lugo, but from Astorga +by Orense and Tuy. The country through which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>that road lies is comparatively fertile, and it had +been less exhausted by the recent passage of troops. +The roads are less practicable, and the cannon of +both the flying and pursuing armies must have been +left behind. But Vigo is a port admirably adapted +for the embarkation of troops. The preference given +to Coruña, which nothing but the most signal good +fortune prevented from being fatal to fleet and army, +and the irresolution between November 16 and +December 5, seem the only mistakes that military +critics can discover in the unfortunate but arduous +campaign of Sir John Moore. The vagueness, inaccuracy, +and contradictions of the intelligence he +received sufficiently account for the latter. It was, +in truth, more extraordinary that he was not led into +yet greater embarrassments, than that he incurred +inconveniences from the expectations held out to him +by the Spaniards, the sudden dispersion of all their +armies, and the contradictory statements by which it +was attempted to conceal the extent, nature, and +consequences of those disasters.</p> + +<p>A transcendent genius would, I think, have done +more than this great officer accomplished; but very +few would have displayed more firmness or so much +sagacity. Less of either of those qualities would have +betrayed him into a situation which, without serving +the cause of Spain, must have terminated in the surrender +or annihilation of the English army. His view +of affairs appeared at the time to some, and among +them to myself, to be dictated by an unwarrantable +indifference in the cause and an excess of circumspection, +amounting to timidity, in council. But +subsequent disclosures prove such circumspection to +have been necessary. It reflects honour on his discernment, +without in the smallest tittle detracting from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span>his zeal in the service of his country. He formed +a just estimate of the effects of his advance; it exposed +his army to be attacked and almost surrounded +by superior numbers, but by bringing the whole +disposable French force northwards, it gave the +Spaniards a chance, and deferred the invasion of the +Andalusias. In his last melancholy letter, written +three days before his death, he seems to repent of +having departed from his original determination of +retreating from Salamanca through Portugal.⁠<a id="FNanchor_22" href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> But +the movement which he regrets saved Spain, though +it did so, perhaps, chiefly in consequence of the +Austrian war, of which he was not apprised.⁠<a id="FNanchor_23" href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> Seville +and Cadiz would have inevitably fallen had the +French corps pressed forward through Estremadura +and La Mancha. They were recalled on the alarm +of Sir John Moore’s advance into Old Castile. It was +consequently some time before the French could +resume offensive operations in the south. The +hostility of the peasantry and the increase of the +irregular bands or guerillas harassed their communications, +when their armies were spread over so +large a surface.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span></p> + +<p>Numerous though not very formidable armies +were collected by the Spaniards in the south, and +that sanguine officer, Sir Robert Wilson,⁠<a id="FNanchor_24" href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> with a +miserable band of ragamuffins called the “Lusitanian +Legion,” contrived, by threatening proclamations, +letters purposely thrown in the way of the enemy, +and other devices, to preserve Ciudad Rodrigo +from attack and to keep on the alert a French +force considerable enough to have taken that +fortress and made a fatal inroad on Portugal itself. +He remained where he was, in spite of the orders of +Sir John Cradock⁠<a id="FNanchor_25" href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> and the remonstrances of almost +every English officer with whom he communicated. +The value of this service can only be estimated by +those who were in the country at the time. Such was +the consternation at Lisbon that his retreat would +have been the signal for embarking every British +soldier in that capital or its neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>The result of this campaign produced disappointment +and dismay in England. Sir John Moore was +in habits and opinions more connected with the +Whigs than with their opponents. He was sincerely +lamented by that party; and in vindicating his +memory, sometimes from reasonable criticism, at +others from malevolent aspersions, many members of +it were hurried into disparaging a cause in which +they thought he had been sacrificed by Ministers. +Mr. Canning was compelled to give up his friend +Mr. Frere in debate. He did so with much emotion +in manner, but without assigning those reasons in +his defence which might have been urged with truth, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>though probably with little public effect. He was +recalled, and Lord Wellesley appointed Ambassador +to Spain. Mr. Frere, though mortified, loitered on +at Seville, accepted a title from the Junta, which he +was permitted by our Court to bear anywhere <i>out of +England</i>,⁠<a id="FNanchor_26" href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> and would not have quitted Spain if the +progress of the French had not driven him to the coast.</p> + +<p>I was in Spain during the whole Session of 1809, +and was fortunate in being so. All minds in England +were engrossed with the inquiry into the conduct of +the Duke of York and the examination, among other +bad characters, of his mistress, Mrs. Clarke. It was +a disgusting business, and I am unacquainted with +the details. The intemperate defiance to which Mr. +Charles Yorke and the Ministers resorted, his own +sanguine temper and hasty assertion of a negative +proposition, and, I am afraid I must add, the injudicious +management of Mr. Adam,⁠<a id="FNanchor_27" href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> both before and +during the investigation, combined with the unpopularity +which an apprehension of his commanding +an expedition had produced, were the leading causes +of a result unfavourable to the Commander-in-Chief. +His case, though exempt from moral turpitude, legal +guilt, or dishonourable feeling, was yet indefensible +in public. He was compelled to resign. Sir David +Dundas,⁠<a id="FNanchor_28" href="#Footnote_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> who succeeded him, was considered, how +truly I know not, as his creature: and the Army was +thought to be as much under his direction, through the +connivance of the King and the subserviency of that +General after his removal, as before.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span></p> + +<p>The accusation originated in a cabal of disappointed +and malignant men, among whom were to +be found Captain Dodd, aide-de-camp to the Duke +of Kent, and Mr. Glennie, an officer of Engineers, +formerly treated with some harshness by the Duke +of Richmond. They availed themselves of disclosures, +true and false, made to them in moments +of passion by a Mrs. Clarke, a mistress discarded +by the Duke of York and defrauded of the +annuity to which a direct promise had entitled +her. The woman, however, acted more from interest +and vanity than malignity or revenge. She was at +first averse to any public exposure of His Royal +Highness, and only desirous to extort the money +which she thought her due, and which, in honour +as well as policy, ought never to have been withheld. +Irritated afterwards by the taunts of the Duke’s +advisers and partisans, and tickled by the success +of her personal charms and flippant repartees in the +House of Commons, she ransacked her memory for +every private transaction and confidential conversation +on the subject of promotions, and related them, +with great apparent accuracy and perspicuity and +without asperity or exaggeration, to the public.</p> + +<p>All the popular writers, Tory as well as Whig, +Methodist as well as Jacobin, joined in representing +the testimony as conclusive of corruption. The +country was in a flame. There had never hitherto (at +least in our time) been any measure hostile to the +Court so popular as the inquiry and censure of the +Duke of York. Colonel Wardle, who conducted it, of +mean capacity and meaner disposition, was remarkable +for nothing but the atrocities he had perpetrated and +encouraged against the Irish insurgents in 1797; he +was a party to the designs and a tool in the hands +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>of that little knot of discontented officers with whom +the proceeding originated.⁠<a id="FNanchor_29" href="#Footnote_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> Other members in pursuit +of popularity were led into too much co-operation +with them; and Lord Folkestone,⁠<a id="FNanchor_30" href="#Footnote_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> a man of integrity, +honour, and understanding, perhaps the most formidable +of the Duke’s opponents, got so much entangled +in an amour with Mrs. Clarke, that he might have +made allowance for weaknesses of which he found +himself, even at the moment of arraigning them, very +susceptible.</p> + +<p>Many Whigs, though they disdained all connection +with such associates as Colonel Wardle +and Mrs. Clarke, thought they were not bound to +show much forbearance towards one who abhorred +their principles and had sapped their power; much +less to incur the offence and odium of screening what, +if not delinquency, was at least impropriety of conduct, +for the sake of riveting in authority a Prince who +would never exert it in their favour. “We have for +once,” said Lord Althorp,⁠<a id="FNanchor_31" href="#Footnote_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> a spirited young man, keen +in sport and in politics, “the people in full cry against +the Court, and we are fools if we do not ride up to +the hounds.” The older and more sober members +of the party, especially the Cavendishes and those +who recollected the Duke of York’s good qualities +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>when they agreed with him on politics in 1788, were +inclined to adopt a more magnanimous but less +popular policy; but the Whigs as a body took no +distinct or manly tone whatever on this embarrassing +occasion. The different sides they espoused proved +that no leader had any authority over them, and +perhaps the violence of some and the irresolution of +others proved as clearly that not one of them had the +qualities requisite to assume it. Mr. Ponsonby⁠<a id="FNanchor_32" href="#Footnote_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> sunk +in the estimation of the party, and the party sunk yet +more in the estimation of the public.</p> + +<p>During the remainder of the Session many motions +were brought forward with a view of courting popularity +or allaying the ferment of men’s minds. +Ministers were arraigned by name for interfering with +elections and other corrupt practices; bills for +abolishing sinecures, reducing pensions, and reforming +Parliament were announced, and one with +many alterations by the Ministry for the further +prevention of bribery was passed, though with little +benefit to the public. On the whole these discussions +did harm. The exaggeration of the reformers, on +one side, and the scandalous admission and defence +of many practices grossly improper, on the other, +lowered the House of Commons without strengthening +the people, and thereby weakened the only weapon +which can be used with any efficacy against the silent +but steady encroachments of Regal and Ministerial +power.</p> + +<p>During this period Ministers were not united. The +shrewd among their opponents perceived both in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>their speeches and their measures strange symptoms +of difference, if not disunion. The fatal expedition to +Walcheren was evidently adopted as a compromise, +but in its consequences widened and proclaimed the +breach. Lord Castlereagh was not consulted by his +colleague, Mr. Canning, on the affairs of Spain, and a +diversion in the north of Europe, strongly urged by +the Austrians, was, in the shape of an expedition to +Walcheren, resorted to as an expedient to prevent +his interference with projects relating to the Peninsula, +where the nature of his views was likely to create +(and in one or two instances did actually create) considerable +embarrassment. During the retreat of Sir +John Moore he had sent a Sir George Smith with a +small force to Cadiz, to secure by negotiation, and in +certain cases by force, the Spanish squadron there.⁠<a id="FNanchor_33" href="#Footnote_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> +That object was not, I suspect, even communicated +to Mr. Canning; it was certainly mistaken and unknown +by Mr. Frere, and when suspected by the +Junta, pointedly and sincerely disclaimed by Mr. +Frere. Whether right or wrong, a measure so offensive +to the Spanish was inconsistent with all our +professions, and not of a piece with any of the other +transactions in that country. Sir Sidney Smith⁠<a id="FNanchor_34" href="#Footnote_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> +likewise had received instructions in the Brazils from +Lord Castlereagh, which justified him in adopting a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>line directly contrary to that which Lord Strangford, +in obedience to Mr. Canning, was pursuing.</p> + +<p>To prevent such conflicts of authority, it seems +that the notable device of giving Lord Castlereagh +some expedition entirely his own was hit upon.⁠<a id="FNanchor_35" href="#Footnote_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> +The enterprise on the Scheldt originated with him +at a time when so little cordiality subsisted between +him and Mr. Canning, that the latter had applied to +the Duke of Portland to remove him from his office, +and declared that his continuance in it was incompatible +with his own possession of the Foreign Seals. +The removal of Lord Castlereagh had been agreed +to, but was deferred on various pretences of the +Duke of Portland and Lord Camden.</p> + +<p>The expedition originated with a Minister thus +circumstanced, and, as it were, secretly condemned +by his colleagues. Lord Chatham⁠<a id="FNanchor_36" href="#Footnote_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> was entrusted +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>with the command, at whose suggestion I know not. +The appointment was certainly a strange and unfortunate +one. His countenance and carriage, indeed, +bespoke high spirit and genius, and such qualities +might readily have been expected from the brother +of Mr. Pitt and the son of Lord Chatham. But his +life had hitherto belied all such appearances and +expectations. He had never spoken in Parliament, +and in the high offices he had filled had been remarkable +for nothing but procrastination and inactivity. +Alike insensible to the glories shed on his name +by his father and the favours showered upon him by +his brother, he sold the monument raised to the +first Lord Chatham at Burton Pynsent⁠<a id="FNanchor_37" href="#Footnote_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> for a few +pounds to a neighbouring apothecary; and he remained +in office with Mr. Addington when all Mr. +Pitt’s personal friends retired with him in 1801. +Injuries, real or supposed, made a deeper impression +on his mind; he never forgave Lord Melville for +urging his removal from the Admiralty in 1795, and +he hardly excused his brother for complying with +that suggestion, though his indolence in office had +rendered it unavoidable and become so notorious +that he was nicknamed by the Navy, from the hours +he kept, <i>The Late Lord Chatham</i>. He had imperceptibly +risen to be an old General in the Army; for, with the +exception of the disastrous descent at the Helder in +1799, and possibly a part of the siege of Gibraltar, +he had never seen any service,⁠<a id="FNanchor_38" href="#Footnote_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> and for more than +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>twenty-five years had discharged no military duties +whatever. Yet he now assumed the command of +the largest expedition which ever left our coast +with as much indifference as he had voted in +Parliament and received the emoluments of the +Admiralty, the Presidentship, or the Ordnance, +during the last twenty-three years of his life.</p> + +<p>The calamities of the expedition are matter for +history. The Navy ascribed the failure to Lord +Chatham; his conduct at the Admiralty was not forgotten +by them, and Sir Home Popham,⁠<a id="FNanchor_39" href="#Footnote_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> who had +instigated the expedition and devised many of the +plans, was not sorry to shift the whole blame on the +execution rather than the design. No exploit was +performed sufficient to reconcile the public to so +unexpected an appointment as that of Lord Chatham. +When, however, he was examined in the House of +Commons, the stateliness of his deportment, the firmness +and compass of his voice, his self-possession, +dignity, and dexterity, persuaded some who were no +mean judges that the necessity of exertion would have +discovered in him great parliamentary talents, though +command in the field had drawn forth no display of +military genius. He delivered clandestinely to the +King a paper justifying himself, and in some degree +inculpating the Navy, and even the Admiralty. Lord +Mulgrave⁠<a id="FNanchor_40" href="#Footnote_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> repelled the charge in the House of Lords +with spirit; but Lord Chatham, who was obliged to +retire from his office, never opened his lips, but on +his examination.</p> + +<p>The expedition to Walcheren occasioned changes +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>in France as well as in England. Napoleon was +on the Danube. Fouché,⁠<a id="FNanchor_41" href="#Footnote_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> Minister of the Interior, on +the first alarm of our descent on the coast of Holland, +raised, without communicating the step to the +Emperor, a large body of national guards. They +were of some service at Antwerp; but the circumstance, +together with a negotiation with Lord +Wellesley soon afterwards for peace, which was +carried on by an agent of Fouché without the participation +of his colleagues or of the Emperor himself, +gave Napoleon great umbrage.⁠<a id="FNanchor_42" href="#Footnote_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> He thought his +Minister too powerful and too busy; and though his +conduct on the invasion of Walcheren had been +serviceable to France, it furnished a motive for dismissing +him.</p> + +<p>In England, Lord Castlereagh, mortified at the +complete discomfiture of his favourite project, found +that he had been all along sacrificed by his colleagues, +and, partly from calculation, partly from anger, +resigned. Mr. Canning had done so the day before, +either because Lord Castlereagh had not been apprised +of the intention of removing him, or because he had +not been removed. The duel between these two +Ministers, the challenge, correspondence, and circumstances +which led to it, were all printed, published, +and canvassed at the time. Lord Castlereagh, in his +rage, sought a mode of redress not well suited to +the injury, and perhaps he did not select the real +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>offender. For if the concealment, not the conception, +of the design of removing him constituted the offence, +with the Duke of Portland and Lord Camden, not +Mr. Canning, rested the guilt of the concealment. +Mr. Canning pressed them to disclose it; he possibly, +and even probably, thought that they had disclosed +it. The conduct of Lord Castlereagh, who was an +excellent marksman, and had practised with pistols +to qualify himself for the Irish House of Commons, +seemed dictated by a thirst of vengeance rather than +a sense of wounded honour.⁠<a id="FNanchor_43" href="#Footnote_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> “A gentleman,” observed +Mr. Windham, “does not fight to avenge +his political wrongs, but to vindicate his character. +Here is an injury, and possibly some duplicity, of +which Lord Castlereagh has a right to complain; +but there has been no aspersion on his reputation, +no insult which demands reparation or satisfaction.”</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the proof of spirit, where very unwarrantably +none had hitherto been supposed to +reside, raised the character of the man, and even +softened the unpopularity he had incurred by the +disastrous expedition to Walcheren.⁠<a id="FNanchor_44" href="#Footnote_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> On the other +hand, no explanation of Mr. Canning could do away +the impression in the world that he had acted +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>unfairly and treacherously by his colleague. He +sunk in the same proportion as his rival rose in +public estimation, and particularly in the House +of Commons. It was whimsically observed that +the first two Irishmen that had ever sat together +in an English <i>Cabinet</i> terminated their differences +in the <i>field</i>.</p> + +<p>The day after the duel Mr. Perceval wrote to Lord +Grey and Lord Grenville, the former of whom was in +Northumberland, the latter in Cornwall. His letter +mentioned the intention of the Duke of Portland to +resign in consequence of bad health, and stated His +Majesty’s authority to Lord Liverpool and himself to +communicate with the two Lords, “for the purpose of +forming an extended and combined Administration”; +he then expressed his hopes that they would come to +town to forward, with as little delay as possible, that +important object, and apprise him of their arrival. He +also mentioned Lord Castlereagh’s and Mr. Secretary +Canning’s intentions of resigning.</p> + +<p>Lord Grey construed this letter as containing <i>His +Majesty’s authority</i> to Mr. Perceval to communicate +with him, and <i>Mr. Perceval’s</i> hopes that he would +come up to town and avoid loss of time in forwarding +the object of forming a combined Administration. He +therefore contented himself with declaring that such +a union was impossible; and thinking his appearance +in London might occasion delay in forming a settled +Government, remained in the country, after requesting +Mr. Perceval to lay before His Majesty his humble +entreaties that His Majesty would not attribute his +conduct to any want of attachment or diminished +zeal in his service.</p> + +<p>Lord Grenville, thinking that Mr. Perceval’s letter +contained an express signification of His Majesty’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>pleasure that he should come up to London, left +Cornwall; but immediately on his arrival at Camelford +House wrote to Mr. Perceval to decline the proposed +communication, from a conviction that it would be +productive of no public advantage. He disclaimed in +his letter all personal hostilities and all desire of +prolonging political differences, and hinted at his +opinions on the Catholic question, by declaring that +it was “his wish and the duty of every loyal subject +to compose, not enflame, the divisions of the Empire.” +“His accession to the Administration,” he observed, +“could not contribute to that object, and could only +be considered as a dereliction of public principles. +The retreat of some members from the Ministry made +no difference; his objections not being to persons, +but to the principles of the Government itself and the +circumstances attending its appointment.” He then +closed the letter with the usual assurances of zeal and +attachment to His Majesty.</p> + +<p>Mr. Perceval, in a reply to Lord Grenville studiously +polite and conciliatory, endeavoured to mark his +sense of the different conduct of Lord Grey; and +though that conduct arose from a different construction +put by the two Lords on the phraseology of Mr. +Perceval’s first overture, there was some apprehension +in Lord Grey’s mind lest an inference of more +substantial difference in their views might be drawn +from it. Such a consequence was, however, entirely +avoided. It happened fortunately enough that the +conduct of each on this occasion seemed to refute +the calumnies on their respective characters, which +had of late been most sedulously propagated by +their enemies. Lord Grenville, so often styled by +the courtiers stiff, unbending, and repulsive, came +up to town on the summons, though his purpose +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>was to decline the proffered negotiation. Lord Grey, +on the contrary, who had most unaccountably been +accused by the demagogues of an undue appetite +for office, did not even wait to consult his friends, +but, at the risk of offending the King, peremptorily +and instantly declined all communication, and remained +at the distance of three hundred miles. +Their answers were approved by the party in a +manner highly creditable to the disinterestedness +of so large a body of men. Nor were they unpalatable +to the public at large. The doctrine that +all politicians will sacrifice principle to office had +been recently inculcated with great industry. The +country was gratified, as it should be, at a practical +refutation of that false and degrading supposition. +Lord Westmorland, to whose understanding a +combined Administration and a loss of place were +synonymous, remarked on this transaction, “What +an escape the country has had!”</p> + +<p>Lord Grey communicated his answer to the Prince +of Wales, and Lord Grenville apprised him of his +also, before they were publicly known. When I +called at Carlton House I found His Royal Highness +exceedingly pleased at this attention, and +mightily disposed to thrust himself into some negotiation +either for a coalition or a new Administration. +With that view he had offered his services to the +King, and expressed a readiness to go down to +Windsor; but his father in a short and dry answer +declined the offer, reminding him of some assurance, +formerly made (probably at the time of our dismissal +from office), of never interfering in political arrangements +unless <i>expressly requested</i> to do so by His +Majesty. Lord St. Vincent, to whom the Prince of +Wales showed this letter of His Majesty, said: “I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>admire it, sir, as a masterpiece in its way; it is the +best attorney letter I ever read.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Sheridan took me to Carlton House to see this +correspondence. He told me in the anteroom that I +should like the Prince’s letter extremely. “The fact is,” +added he, “the Prince had drawn it out at first himself, +but in a way that would never have done, awkward +in expression, forgetful of things that had passed, +and pledging himself to others in future that would +have been the devil and all. I contrived, however, +just by hinting a thing here and there, to recast +the whole, and he is delighted with it; because having +drawn the original sketch he fancies the picture his +own, though I left none of the outline and the +colouring was never his own.”</p> + +<p>No sooner was I admitted and seated than a scene +ensued, which would really have been worthy of Mr. +Sheridan’s pencil, if he had not himself performed a part +in the original. The Prince produced the paper with +great complacency, and began by informing me that +he was sure I should like it, “For,” said he, “Sheridan +will excuse me, but though he is a clever fellow at +such things, I must say he had drawn up a d——d +bad paper on this occasion. I just took the form and +outline, but I have altered it myself, and was obliged +to do so.” He then read it over sentence by sentence, +and almost at every word he turned to Mr. Sheridan +and said: “You know it stood so and so, but I +altered it,” or, “You will allow that’s better, +Sheridan?” To all which Mr. Sheridan nodded +assent. I left the house without being deeply +impressed with the value of the article contended +for, but utterly at a loss to decide to whom the merit, +such as it was, belonged.</p> + +<p>Lord Grenville communicated the correspondence +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>relative to Mr. Perceval’s overture, as it was called, +to Lord Sidmouth, who said, “The result of that +step was such as was naturally to have been expected.” +He hoped, however, that Lord Grey and Lord +Grenville were disposed to afford “satisfaction and +confidence” to the King’s mind on the Catholic +question, to which Lord Grenville gave no answer.</p> + +<p>Soon afterwards Lord Sidmouth had to return the +compliment, and communicated an overture made to +him of a very singular nature through Lord Chatham. +It was to ask him to influence his brother-in-law, +Mr. Bragge Bathurst,⁠<a id="FNanchor_45" href="#Footnote_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> and Mr. Hobhouse,⁠<a id="FNanchor_46" href="#Footnote_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> + to take +office. The communication was stated to be authorised +and desired by the King and Mr. Perceval; but +there was not one word in it expressive of a wish +to have the assistance of Lord Sidmouth himself. +It was of course rejected: his friends would not +separate from him; but Lord Sidmouth expressed +a disinclination to listen to any proposals that did +not include the Whigs, unless it was ascertained that +they adhered inflexibly to a measure on which the +King could not give way. Mr. Perceval told Lord +Sidmouth, very <i>frankly</i> at least, that his motive for +desiring the aid of his friends <i>without him</i> was the +unsurmountable personal objection felt to Lord +Sidmouth himself by some whose support was necessary +to the Government.</p> + +<p>Lord Sidmouth, though chagrined at so preposterous +a proposal and so unmannerly an explanation of it, +was yet very earnest in extorting from Lord Grenville +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>some declaration on the subject of the Catholics, that +is, the views and intentions of the Whigs as to what +he termed <i>setting the King’s mind at ease</i>. Lord Grenville +very prudently answered that to the principle of +Mr. Perceval’s Government, that is, to a pledge in itself +unconstitutional, he could not directly or indirectly +ever become a party; but that it was not possible +to enter into further explanations of his views or +of his possible conduct on the subject of Irish +Catholics in all the various circumstances that might +arise; nor could any answer be given to general +phrases, such as <i>setting the King’s mind at ease</i>, and +the like, it not being known what would be required +for that purpose.</p> + +<p>On the death of the Duke of Portland, Lord +Grenville was chosen Chancellor of the University +of Oxford. It was considered as a triumph at the +time, though it was perhaps owing to a persuasion +in that learned body that the object of their choice +would ere long be Minister of the country; though +there was some sagacity in an apprehension of Lord +Cowper’s that it might have a pernicious effect on +Lord Grenville’s opinions even in Opposition, and +yet worse if he should obtain power on all subjects +connected with the Church.⁠<a id="FNanchor_47" href="#Footnote_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> To remove, as far as +he could with honour and consistency, the jealousies +entertained of his principles respecting the Roman +Catholics, he wrote and printed a letter on the subject. +It contained a firm exposition of his opinions, and +in point of composition did him great credit; but +it revived the agitation of details which it would +have been more advantageous to postpone till further +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span>progress was made in the main measure, and it +seemed in some degree to pledge him to support +<i>the Veto</i>, which in a few years he acknowledged to +be impracticable and, though desirable, not absolutely +necessary. He valued the distinction of the Chancellorship +very highly. The unbiassed suffrages of a +learned and pious body were, in his estimation, so many +testimonies to literature, taste, integrity, and virtue. +Who, therefore, of an honest mind but was gratified +at seeing a man who had sacrificed so much to a +sense of public duty rewarded at last by a favourite +and innocent object of ambition?</p> + +<p>I was not myself altogether insensible to an appointment, +however comparatively humble, which, upon +the death of the Duke of Portland, was conferred +upon me by the Corporation of Nottingham. They +chose me Recorder, from respect to the memory of +Mr. Fox and a persuasion that I should never abandon +his principles.</p> + +<p>In November, 1809, died John Henry, second Marquess +of Lansdowne,⁠<a id="FNanchor_48" href="#Footnote_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> after possessing that title about +four years, during which time he never took any part +in debate nor even voted in the House of Lords. He +had been harassed by Government or by individuals +in Ireland for his incautious expression of violent +political opinions a short time before he succeeded +to his title. The lady, whom he avowed as his wife +immediately upon his father’s death, was not sorry +to draw him nearer to the winning side. He was a +very accomplished man, with much general knowledge, +but yet more wit and eloquence, though both +were of a very laboured kind. He had more singularity +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>of conduct than originality of thought, but he had +much of the latter. He was neither ambitious nor +designing, and but for suspicion might have been a +good man. But he had perversely persuaded himself, +and some errors in his education had taught him, to +guard against every kind affection of the heart—a +quarter in which he was not by nature very +vulnerable.</p> + +<p>I owe much of the little useful knowledge I possess +to the habits I acquired in an intimate intercourse +with him—perhaps, among other things, the faculty, +such as it is, of writing these memoirs. It is true +he afterwards used me and mine unkindly and unjustly; +but it was not without a pang that I saw a +person from whom I had derived so much amusement +and instruction, and with whom I had lived in such +friendship, sinking at the age of forty-two or forty-three +into an untimely grave. He told me a fortnight +before his death that he was not fool enough to +imagine that he was ever to rise from that couch; +and after some sarcastic irony on the received +notions of religion in which he was apt to indulge, +he assured me that the thoughts of approaching +death had never kept him awake for a minute, +though he had been aware of it for more than +two months. “I am surprised at this,” he added, +“for when in health I should have guessed that +such a conviction would have harassed me exceedingly; +it is true, however, there is some little +lethargy in my complaint, and that may contribute +to account for it.” He composed an epitaph for +himself, beginning,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Here lies drowned in his armchair,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">and he fixed therein upon the period of his decease +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>as well as described the mode very nearly as it +happened.⁠<a id="FNanchor_49" href="#Footnote_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Lord Henry Petty⁠<a id="FNanchor_50" href="#Footnote_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> was by this event removed to +the House of Lords. He was the best hope of the +Whig party in the Commons; and he himself evidently +at first considered the accession of a princely +fortune and a seat in the House of Lords as a loss, +till in a few years the solid comforts of those possessions +compensated for the uncertain objects with +which his ambition had occasionally dazzled his +judgment.</p> + +<p>An opinion, grounded, I suspect, on their wishes, +had gone forth among the Whigs that Mr. G. +Ponsonby⁠<a id="FNanchor_51" href="#Footnote_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> was desirous to retire from Parliament, +or at least from the prominent station, which, in compliance +with the earnest solicitation of friends, he had +consented to occupy. His nephew, Lord Ponsonby, +confirmed the report; but Mr. Ponsonby himself, on +being questioned by Lord Grey, “stated distinctly +his <i>wish</i> to continue leader, if Lord Grey and Lord +Grenville did not object to it.” The Duke of Bedford, +at my instance, brought in Mr. Brougham, who, from +his eloquence, knowledge, zeal, and activity, was a prodigious +accession to that party whose principles he +had espoused and in a variety of ways very ably +maintained. He had, indeed, spoken of late very coldly +of the Catholic question, and very contemptuously +of Parliament; but when offered a seat, on the sole +understanding that he was neither adverse to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>concessions to the Roman Catholics nor to an immediate +agitation of them in Parliament, he accepted +it without hesitation. His conduct there I shall have +occasion to remark; but with the exception of a few +evening visits during the Walcheren inquiry, he +henceforth studiously and unaccountably avoided my +society. For full six years I had no political or +private intercourse with a man whom I had been so +anxious to place and so successful in placing in the +House of Commons,⁠<a id="FNanchor_52" href="#Footnote_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> and who never assigned, nor, +I believe, could assign, any motive for dropping all +habits and connection with me.</p> + +<p>His treatment of Mr. Horner, though more easily +accounted for, was more unpardonable. They were +of the same age, education, habits, and pursuits: +in capacity and application nearly equal, but in +temper and disposition very unlike. Mr. Horner, +whose every feeling sprung from a warm heart and +whose lightest actions were regulated by a well-considered +sense of duty, promoted and rejoiced at +every advancement of his friend towards distinction +and celebrity. He was zealous in forwarding his +interests, and ready to co-operate with cordiality in +maintenance of the public principles which they +professed in common. Not so Mr. Brougham. +He visibly estranged himself from his early friend +and companion. Where a shade of difference existed, +he loved to bring it out rather than soften it +down; and in all dealings with or about Mr. Horner, +showed such want of affection that the high, though +gentle, spirit of the other perceived it, and without +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span>stooping to any grovelling act of resentment, disdained +to court a friendship which he saw he could +not preserve. To others Mr. Horner endeared himself +more and more every day, and with the House +ingratiated himself very perceptibly. Had his health, +fortune, and life permitted, he would soon have commanded +the affections of his party, and acquired a +great ascendancy in Parliament, by the variety of his +attainments, the simple earnestness of his manner, the +benevolence and sweetness of his disposition, and +the inflexible integrity which was as firmly rooted in +his mind as it was indicated in his stern and manly, +but not repulsive, countenance.</p> + +<p>Mr. Brougham, by his unwearied exertions and +wonderful powers, made himself formidable to his +enemies; he was frequently very serviceable to his +cause, and occasionally popular out of doors. The +House did not like him, but they always feared and +sometimes admired him. Had the management of +the Walcheren inquiry devolved upon him, he +thought, and perhaps justly, that the result would +have been a censure on the Ministers.</p> + +<p>The sensation on that subject both in and out of +Parliament was exceedingly strong. Many members +were unquestionably inclined to express their disapprobation +of the expedition by a vote at the commencement +of the Session, who, in the course of the +long investigation, were prevailed upon to suppress +their opinions, by a persuasion that time had somewhat +softened the indignation of their constituents and +that a censure would inevitably change the government +of the country. Lord Porchester,⁠<a id="FNanchor_53" href="#Footnote_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> who conducted +the business in the Commons, though honest, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>firm, and eloquent, was not skilful in the examination +of witnesses. Mr. Ponsonby was not more adroit nor +more expeditious. Mr. Brougham was more intent +on exposing their oversights and errors in private, +than in rectifying them in public. Yet the ingenuity +and imagery of Mr. Windham’s speeches must have +delighted, and the sound argument and plain sense +of Mr. Tierney’s convinced, the audience. The vote, +therefore, of approbation was scarcely more at +variance with the wishes of the minority and the +expectations of the public, than with the real opinions +of the majority who passed it. It was the strongest +practical argument ever furnished for a reform of +Parliament: for the House of Commons on that +disgraceful occasion spoke neither the sense of the +people whom it represented, nor even of the individuals +who composed its body.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="illus2" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><i>Francis Horner, M.P.</i></p> + <p><i>Sir H. Raeburn, R.A. Pinx 1812.</i> + <span class="spacer"><i>Emery Walker Ph. Sc.</i></span></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Pending the inquiry, the House of Lords was more +than usually inactive. We could not with prudence +or even with propriety take up the same subject; +and the public was so engrossed with it that no +other would have excited much interest. Lord +Grenville, Lord Grey, and Lord Lauderdale⁠<a id="FNanchor_54" href="#Footnote_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> opposed +the thanks to Lord Wellington for the victory of +Talavera. The two last, much to my regret, entered +a protest to the vote. Lord Wellesley spoke for +the first time in the character of a Minister, and he +spoke with feeling, vivacity, and effect. He was +designated for Secretary for the War Department, in +room of Lord Castlereagh, by Mr. Canning; but had +in the meanwhile been sent by him [as] Ambassador +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>to Spain, where, after indulging his bad taste in a +few silly bravadoes, he showed in essentials much +foresight, and took a more accurate and comprehensive +view of the policy of the country to which +he was accredited, than is usual in an English diplomatist, +and than could have been expected in so +short a residence. On the rejection of the overtures +to the Whigs, Mr. Perceval offered him the Foreign +Seals. Mr. Canning and his friends were not a little +mortified at his accepting them. Lord Liverpool, +who had successively held the Foreign and Home +Department, succeeded Lord Castlereagh in the third +Secretaryship; and Mr. Ryder⁠<a id="FNanchor_55" href="#Footnote_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> replaced him, after +Mr. Yorke had refused to resume that office which +he had filled during Mr. Addington’s Administration +with some credit for talents for business.</p> + +<p>The melancholy death of Mr. Eden⁠<a id="FNanchor_56" href="#Footnote_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> in January, +1810, induced his father, Lord Auckland, to absent +himself from Parliament, and vacated a Tellership of +the Exchequer. It was rumoured at first that Mr. +Perceval would give it to another son of Lord +Auckland’s; but though Mr. Perceval was not devoid +of that sort of liberality, it was not likely to +make him so far overstep the line of political +interest. The Admiralty was vacated by Lord +Mulgrave succeeding to the Ordnance, which Lord +Chatham had been compelled to relinquish; and +Mr. Yorke⁠<a id="FNanchor_57" href="#Footnote_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> was induced to accept the Admiralty by +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>the provision for life, which the Tellership, offered +with it, afforded.</p> + +<p>On the first report of his vacating his seat for +Cambridgeshire, a hair-brained, zealous man of the +name of Goodwin, without any connection or acquaintance +with the county, apprised the freeholders in an +anonymous advertisement that a Whig candidate +would start; and thus prevailed upon Lord Francis +Osborne to come forward, who was chosen with little +expense—a circumstance not less surprising from +his gallantry in furnishing Mr. Goodwin, without +any previous acquaintance with him, with an unlimited +credit on his banker. This anecdote, hardly +worth preserving, shows how activity and decision +carry points little expected, and was at the time an +indication of the unpopularity of Ministry.</p> + +<p>Much of the Session and more of the public attention +were occupied on questions of privilege. They +had been very unadvisably raised by the imprisonment +of one Gale Jones,⁠<a id="FNanchor_58" href="#Footnote_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> who had written against the exclusion +of strangers from the House; and they were +further provoked and kept up by Sir Francis Burdett. +He denied in the most offensive form he could devise +the right of the House to imprison. He forgot that +he had, the year before, directed papers to be seized +and other powers to be exerted, which, supposing no +authority in Parliament to punish, could hardly be +legal and certainly could not be enforced. As Gale +Jones had been imprisoned, the House could not +with decency overlook yet more flagrant conduct in +a member. Sir Francis Burdett was sent to the +Tower. Disturbances in the town, division among +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>the Whigs, division of public attention from the +incapacity and misconduct of Ministers, and great +diminution of confidence in the House of Commons, +were the natural consequences of this ill-timed execution +of an arbitrary power, which, though in some +cases necessary to the preservation of Parliament, +can scarcely ever be expedient except against the +inroads of some other authority in the State. The +privileges of the Commons are intended as means of +defence against power, not as weapons of offence +against liberty or even licentiousness. Such powers +must indeed be discretionary. But the representative +body, when it assumes an attitude of menace towards +the people, perverts such instruments to purposes +for which they were never entrusted to it, and runs +considerable hazard of having them wrested from +their hands.</p> + +<p>The last efforts of Mr. Windham in Parliament +were in support of its unquestionable privileges and +of the unseasonable and unwarrantable exercise of +them on this occasion. He had been during the +whole of the Session at war with the public prints +and reporters. Upon the exclusion of strangers, +whence directly or indirectly flowed all the embarrassing +questions concerning privilege, both he and +Mr. Tierney had expressed themselves in a way which +gave great offence to that class of men, who had been +of late years, and are still, actuated by a common +feeling, an <i>esprit de corps</i>, not altogether so favourable +to liberty or advantageous to the cause of truth as +formidable to those with whom they chance to be +displeased. They suppressed for a time the speeches +of both these gentlemen.⁠<a id="FNanchor_59" href="#Footnote_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> Cobbett disclosed some +particulars of Mr. Windham’s intercourse with him, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span>from which it would seem that Mr. Windham was +not so incapable of courting a good word from the +newspapers as he pretended, and, above all, was not +likely to be indifferent to the menaced omission of +his name in debates. He had often corrected his +speeches, and consulted both the taste and convenience +of the reporters, by speaking from the place in the +House which they had informed him was best adapted +to his voice and delivery. The gratification derived +from his eloquence, which the spite of these little +men had for a season interrupted, was soon irretrievably +lost. He died lamented and admired in the +beginning of June, 1810.</p> + +<p>Mr. Malone printed a short sketch of his life and +character. It is probably very correct; it is certainly +very insipid. Mr. Windham left behind him some +treatises on scientific subjects, and many volumes of +a journal, begun, it is said, at the instance of Dr. +Johnson.⁠<a id="FNanchor_60" href="#Footnote_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> It was entrusted to Mr. G. Ellis,⁠<a id="FNanchor_61" href="#Footnote_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> + who, +with a view of writing a life of Mr. Windham, made +many extracts from it, which I have seen. I am told +that Mr. Windham mentions in his journal, his having +prayed fervently for the soul of Dr. Johnson in +Switzerland many years after that great writer’s +death. It is, I believe, well ascertained that previous +to the operation on which his own death ensued, +he took the Sacrament privately at a distant church.⁠<a id="FNanchor_62" href="#Footnote_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> +Such circumstances prove that the extreme aversion +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>he always manifested to anything bordering on +impiety in conversation was not merely dictated by +taste, decorum, or good breeding, but the result of +a real sense of religion. If Crawford had “known” +(says General FitzPatrick, in a letter to me of September +30, 1810) “more of Windham, he would not +have been surprised at his strict observance of the +ceremonies of religion. He held the <i>profession</i> of it +to be a high moral duty, as did Burke, and I believe +neither of them ever allowed their sincerity to be +questioned.”</p> + +<p>I hope the Christian reader will not be scandalised, +or the sceptical disposed to scoff at my mentioning +these circumstances; it is useful to record the various +sentiments held by men of integrity and capacity on +such topics in the same age. The religious and irreligious +may learn from thence to have less confidence +in their own persuasion and more toleration for +opinions in which they do not concur. The passages⁠<a id="FNanchor_63" href="#Footnote_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> +extracted by Mr. G. Ellis from Mr. Windham’s journal, +and, as I am informed, all the other parts of that work, +relate rather to the history of his studies, his feelings, +and his understanding, than to any actual events +of his life or public occurrences of his time. Self-examination +and self-reproach, magnificent projects +and poor performances, designs of study and periods +of idleness, irresolution, and remorse, form a lamentable +picture of an infirm mind; and though there are +some paragraphs remarkable for their eloquence, and +more observations worth the attention of a metaphysician, +the total absence of all affection and, +with the exception of Dr. Johnson, of all admiration +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>or deference for others, deprives this painful exposure +of all his inmost thoughts and feelings of anything +like interest for the man. Few, it would appear, +have been less satisfied, but none more exclusively +occupied with themselves, than Mr. Windham. On +that subject he is minute even to tediousness, +plaintive and melancholy almost to insanity. <i>Pauvre +humanité!</i></p> + +<p>Mr. Perceval’s unnecessary grant of £100,000 to +the clergy⁠<a id="FNanchor_64" href="#Footnote_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> led me and Mr. Allen⁠<a id="FNanchor_65" href="#Footnote_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> + to examine the +history of the first-fruits and tenths. We thought +that we had discovered that the Crown was empowered, +and even enjoined by law, to make a new +valuation of them, and to appropriate the amount of +the revenue which would arise from such a measure +to the objects of Queen Anne’s Bounty. I moved a +string of resolutions to that purpose, but was discomfited +by the production of a clause in an Act of +George I., which had, I believe, been originally introduced +into the Bill by some manœuvre or contrivance, +and which certainly bore little or no reference to the +title thereof. It was discovered by the learned Bench +about twenty-four hours before I came down to the +House; and as I had communicated the substance +and, I think, the form of my resolutions to them, +their policy was more conspicuous than their candour +in withholding this discovery from my notice till my +speech was delivered and my motion made.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span></p> + +<p>In June Lord Grey moved an address on the state +of the nation. The object of the motion was to +recapitulate the dangers of the country; to expose +the rashness of our policy, foreign and domestic; +and to record the public principles of himself and +his friends by marking, on one hand, the difference +between the system he recommended and that pursued +by the Government, and on the other, a line +of separation between himself and those reformers +who were for circumscribing the powers of Parliament +as well as altering fundamentally the basis of the +representation. In all parts of this address, even +those which glanced at a moderate reform of Parliament, +Lord Grenville, though absent from illness, +signified his concurrence. I, who voted for the +motion, had some slight objection to parts of it, and +entertained great doubt of the necessity or policy of +any such laboured declaration of our political creed. +Lord Erskine and the Duke of Norfolk courted popularity +by expressing doubts on the privilege question; +but neither the one nor the other had the courage +to contend manfully with Lord Grey and resort to +the only arguments by which their opinions could +be plausibly maintained. They therefore involved +themselves in generalities, or entangled the question +in legal subtleties.</p> + +<p>At the latter end of this Session Lord Lauderdale +objected to a flagrant job in favour of Mr. Walter +Scott’s brother; Lord Melville defended it on the +score of rewarding poetical genius; and I, after +ironically congratulating Lord Melville on his tardy +conversion to the beauties of poetry, to which he had +shown himself so insensible in the instance of his +countryman Burns, acquiesced in the propriety of +rewarding Walter Scott, but deprecated a job injurious +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>to the public service in favour of his brother. +When I visited Scotland in the summer the irritable +bard would not deign to speak to me, and even closed +his mouth when he perceived me listening to the +good stories he was telling at the other end of the +table at a club where I met him at Edinburgh.⁠<a id="FNanchor_66" href="#Footnote_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Both the theatres had been burnt down in the +autumn of 1808 and the spring of 1809.⁠<a id="FNanchor_67" href="#Footnote_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> Notwithstanding +the losses of Mr. Kemble, which were in +some degree repaired by the Duke of Northumberland, +who on this and some other rare occasions +capriciously belied his general character by an act +of useful generosity, Covent Garden Theatre was +rebuilt and opened in 1810. An attempt was made +to raise the prices. An unusual number of private +boxes, and the introduction of an Italian singer on +the stage, rendered that innovation yet more unpalatable +to the public. They thought an undue +advantage was taken of that entire monopoly which +the hopeless state of the Drury Lane Theatre concerns +virtually conferred on Covent Garden.</p> + +<p>The taste for expensive exhibitions, the real or +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>nominal change in the value of money, and the +increased salary of the actors, did indeed seem to +justify some advance in the price of admission. But +the managers were injudicious in their mode of proposing +the innovation, of resisting the clamours of +the audience, and of yielding piecemeal to their +demands. Prejudice and hissing became clamour; +clamour was soon exasperated into riot; and riot, +when headed by Mr. Clifford,⁠<a id="FNanchor_68" href="#Footnote_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> a Roman Catholic +lawyer of considerable name, seemed likely, in the +apprehension of many, to swell into political sedition, +and become the prelude or instrument of more mischief +than disturbing a play or keeping down the +price of theatrical exhibitions.⁠<a id="FNanchor_69" href="#Footnote_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>The apprehension was groundless; though it must +be acknowledged that the pretension of affixing a +price to anything by popular clamour was one of +fearful example, and Mr. Clifford was a man capable, +both from temper and talents, of harbouring and +executing very mischievous designs. Impatience of +the unjust disabilities under which his sect labours +had reconciled him to violent opinions in politics; +and unrestrained habits of intemperance had inflamed +the malignity of a disposition not originally amiable, +without impairing the very acute perceptions and +strong intellect with which Nature had endowed him. +He was, however, pacified by the submission of the +managers, seemed to bear his triumph meekly, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>if he entertained any project of engrafting further +designs on the popularity to which he had raised +himself, he did not live to develop them. The drams, +which were unable to extinguish his spirit or drown +his reason, undermined his bodily constitution, and +brought him in the middle of life and in possession +of all his faculties to an untimely grave soon after +the unenviable distinction he had obtained.</p> + +<p>If in the unprofitable career of such men moralists +may find a warning against the indulgence of sensual +or malignant passions, legislators and statesmen may +learn the impolicy of converting by laws of exclusion +those faculties, which in the service of the State might +improve the happiness and raise the glory of the +country, into engines of torment to the possessors, +and of mischief to the Commonwealth. This incident +(which was called O.P., or Old Prices) probably +suggested to many minds the necessity of another +theatre, and thereby facilitated the completion of an +undertaking in which I was soon afterwards subordinately +engaged, <i>viz.</i>, the rebuilding of Drury +Lane Play-house, and procuring an Act of Parliament +to constitute the subscribers a Joint Stock Company +for that purpose.</p> + +<p>At the close of this year, 1810, the disorder to +which the King had been frequently subject recurred +with such violence as to incapacitate him from discharging +the functions of his situation, and ultimately +to become confirmed insanity without any hope of +recovery. In preserving some facts connected with +his complaint, and in making some remarks on his +character, I trust to the reports of others rather than +to my own personal observation. My direct intercourse +with George III. was very slight, and chiefly +confined to mere form and civility. He inherited from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>his mother a scrofulous habit, which, when malignant, +not unfrequently terminates in madness. Such instances +had, I believe, occurred in the Saxe-Gotha +family, from which Frederick, Prince of Wales, unfortunately +selected his consort.</p> + +<p>There was a story current, that a disposition to +lunacy was apprehended in the King’s illness of 1765. +Letters from the King soon afterwards, speaking of +medical injunctions to him to abstain from business,⁠<a id="FNanchor_70" href="#Footnote_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> +and a passage in Smollett’s <i>Continuation</i>, mysteriously +worded and yet more mysteriously cancelled in most +but not all the copies, give, it is said, some colour to +the report. If his son’s account of his behaviour in +the riots of 1780 and at the dissolution of Lord North’s +Ministry can be credited, strong symptoms of derangement +appeared on both those occasions. He announced, +on both, a design of retiring to Hanover. Disgust at +the scenes of 1780, and chagrin at the events of 1782, +might indeed, in both instances, rationally account +for so hasty a resolution; but the disproportionate +earnestness about trifles, especially the liveries of +his servants when he should arrive in Germany (circumstances +which I have heard His Royal Highness +the Prince of Wales describe with more vivacity than +filial grace), could hardly be reconciled with the possession +of a sound judgment. Throughout life his +manner was hurried, his conversation on indifferent +subjects rapid and incoherent, on persons detracting +and malicious. When constrained to business he was +clear and decisive; but he often betrayed the narrowest +prejudices on things and that constitutional suspicion +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>of mankind which is so frequent a concomitant of a +disordered understanding. Mr. Fox, in his first interview +with the King, remarked that he had a “very +mad look in his eyes.” They were without question +singularly unsteady, through their extreme short-sightedness, +and the continued see-saw motion of +his body seemed to account for that defect. In the +Coalition Administration his conduct in Cabinet was +one day so strange that on his leaving the room, +which he did with levity and abruptness, Lord John +Cavendish observed, “His Majesty is certainly wrong +in the upper story.”⁠<a id="FNanchor_71" href="#Footnote_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>In 1788 a positive derangement of intellect was +discovered and acknowledged. Since that period +he had two very decided relapses, and perhaps he +was never afterwards entirely free from occasional +aberrations of mind, though they were sufficiently +controlled to escape the notice of the public +and the interference of Ministers. The recollection +of his first illness and the dread of its return gave +for some time great ascendancy to those about +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>him, and combined with his alarm at the French +Revolution to render him accommodating and even +submissive to Mr. Pitt for many years. But when +the secession seemed to disband the party whom he +dreaded, George III. insensibly reverted to his early +habits of intrigue and duplicity, thwarted many little +projects of his ostensible Ministers, fortified subordinate +agents in their hostility to others, and finally +drove his confidential servants to resign by a passionate +and obstinate resistance to a measure long +in contemplation and of great national importance.⁠<a id="FNanchor_72" href="#Footnote_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> +No sooner had he released himself from the constraint +of Mr. Pitt’s Administration than a virulent attack of +his disorder occurred. The appointments necessary +to complete the new Ministry were suspended for +some weeks in consequence of his incapacity, and +Lord Chancellor Rosslyn had the hardihood to make +him sign a Commission to pass the Brown Bread Bill +while he was actually under the control of keepers. +His relapses afterwards were frequent. Lord Sidmouth +has more than once acknowledged to me, that +the uncertainty of the King’s health was his chief, if +not only, motive for resigning in 1804, and not facing +the coalition of Fox, Pitt, and Grenville, which, had +he remained in office, would have speedily ensued.</p> + +<p>In 1806 the King was kept on his good behaviour +by his fears of a Ministry which he had considered +as hostile to him and favourable to his son. He +confined himself strictly to business, and indeed his +intercourse with all of us was so rare that it could +not be difficult for him to suppress any morbid +delusion during the few hours, which once in the +course of a fortnight he allotted to audiences of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>members of his Cabinet. The gentleman who conducted +his correspondence was Colonel Taylor,⁠<a id="FNanchor_73" href="#Footnote_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> a +man of discretion and judgment, who had many +obvious and possibly some secret (though not dishonourable) +motives for concealing any infirmity of +the kind. For myself, in my last, and indeed only, +audience, when I delivered up the Privy Seal, His +Majesty was so hurried that I felt it a relief to quit +the room. I will not say that his conversation denoted +madness, but certainly the subsequent insanity of any +man, who had spoken in the way and with the gestures +he then did, could never have surprised me.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1810 the approaching death of +Princess Amelia deeply afflicted him. That affliction +was followed by a paroxysm which terminated in +confirmed insanity. It was an affecting coincidence, +that the dawn of his reviving reason in 1788 had been +marked by the strong emotions of natural affection +at the accidental sight of the very daughter whose +illness occasioned this last and fatal relapse. She +was said to be his favourite child; but he had much +tenderness for all his daughters, as well [as] for the +Duke of York, and perhaps the Duke of Cambridge: +he had little, if any, for his other children. In the +early part of his reign he had shown himself harsh, +unkind, and vindictive to his brothers. He was cold, +jealous, and unjust to the Prince of Wales in his +childhood; distant and suspicious ever afterwards.</p> + +<p>In general his virtues were not of an engaging nor +his endowments of a dazzling character. He had a +bad opinion of mankind, a contracted but by no means +a feeble view of every subject. With a nature so +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>little attractive, without one brilliant qualification, and +during a reign marked by disasters, how did he contrive +to win the affections of many and popularity +with the great mass of his subjects? After due +allowance be made for the childish love of Princes +so prevalent in England, and the systematic policy +of the demagogues in vilifying Parliament rather than +the Crown, other causes must still be sought for to +explain so extraordinary a phenomenon. He said +indeed himself, with as much contempt for the public, +but with more point, than was usual in his conversation: +“I have been the most unpopular and most +popular King in England; but I owed the first to +my Minister, Lord Bute, and I owe the second to my +son, the Prince of Wales.” But there were other +reasons. He was a regular, decorous, church-going +family man. The practice of the austerer virtues was +not to be imputed in him to any coldness of constitution. +He was of an amorous complexion, and +many involuntary avowals made during his derangements +proved that his fidelity never arose from any +blind partiality to the personal charms of the Queen, +but from a sense of duty and propriety.⁠<a id="FNanchor_74" href="#Footnote_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> Whatever +be the moral value of such self-denial, the people of +England were then, and, I believe, still are, disposed +to pay it full as much homage as it deserves in persons +whose high stations render it of difficult attainment +and wholesome example.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span></p> + +<p>The King had, however, virtues of a higher +order, great decision and consistency and courage, +both personal and political. He adhered firmly to +the principles of government that he approved, +and he was steady in the protection of those who +supported him in them. He never lost sight of +his objects; and could he have found Ministers as +firm or as obstinate as himself, he would never +have surrendered a measure, as he certainly never +changed an opinion. He said, indeed, to every +American Minister who was accredited to him, “I +was the last man in England to acknowledge your +independence, and I will be the last to disturb it”; +but if he ever repented of his conduct, it was in +submitting to that peace, not in fomenting and persisting +so long in the war. “As to the question,” +says he, in a letter to Mr. Fox, of August, 1783, +“whether I wish to receive a Minister from America, +I certainly can never express its being agreeable to +me; indeed, I should think it wisest for both parties +to have only agents who can settle any matter of +commerce; but so far I cannot help adding, that I +shall ever have a bad opinion of any Englishman +who would accept being an accredited Minister for +that revolted State, which certainly for years cannot +establish a stable Government.”⁠<a id="FNanchor_75" href="#Footnote_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>He not only cherished obstinacy in himself, but admired +and inculcated it in others. In spite of his +vaunted Christianity, he despised a man who was not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>irreconcilable in his enmities as well as constant in his +friendships, and he exacted not only consistent conduct +but an adherence to the prejudices of education and +family. This persuasion, combining with a propensity +common to all old men, led him in the latter end of his +life to estimate individuals by his recollection of the +characters of their fathers rather than by observation +on theirs. He himself rigidly conformed to the rule +he expected in others. The absurd German notions +of birth, imbibed in childhood, recurred with double +force upon his mind in his old age. By them he +regulated his sense of duty and his opinion of men. +He fortified his morbid prejudices against Roman +Catholics by a reference to the Protestant maxims +of his House. He judged of the fitness for high +station by rank rather than by talent, and he hailed +the appointment of two Archbishops,⁠<a id="FNanchor_76" href="#Footnote_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> whom from +their connections he called <i>gentlemen</i>, as a triumph +for the Church and a consolation to himself. Descent +from an early enemy or obscurity of birth were in +his eyes such offences, that, with the exception of +Mr. Pitt and Mr. Addington, he was seldom prevailed +upon to pardon either, even in persons who were +subservient or necessary to his views.</p> + +<p>His conduct with respect to Hanover was irreproachable. +He never diverted the revenue of that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>country to any personal or British object; he never +sacrificed any British treasure or English objects to +Hanoverian policy; he never converted his distinct +authority as Elector into the means of thwarting an +obnoxious Minister at home, or enforcing wishes +which as King of England he was compelled to +conceal. His behaviour to Sir James Craufurd and +other Englishmen, who had broken their parole and +escaped from France, reflects much honour upon him; +as Napoleon had furnished examples of a less scrupulous +policy, and the violence of the times, as well as +the temper of his Ministers, would have enabled him +to follow them without reproach or animadversion. +“If a gentleman,” he observed, “had derived indulgence +from a promise, even to usurped authority, he was +bound in honour to abide by it, however illegal the +original detention or the conditions might be.” +George III. adhered to this principle, and would +never receive any officer or English traveller who +had violated it. These are the two best traits I knew +of him, and for that reason I have faithfully recorded +them.⁠<a id="FNanchor_77" href="#Footnote_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>To sum up his character: he was a man of +principle, honest and anxious in forming his rule +of action, sagacious in the application and steady in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span>the observance of it; but then his views were narrow +and mischievous, his judgments warped, and his +feelings illiberal. His distrust of mankind made him +deem insincerity necessary and justifiable. He practised +dissimulation, and in some few instances simulation +likewise, without scruple. If he had the heart +of a courageous and the talents of a dexterous or +shrewd man, he wanted the enlarged understanding +which constitutes wisdom, as well as all elevation +and refinement of sentiment which shed so much +lustre on rank. He was, too, a stranger to every +generous affection which renders a Prince either +amiable or benevolent. There was nothing great, +nothing kind, nothing open, nothing graceful in his +character or manners.</p> + +<p>Those who look to the objects for which Governments +are instituted must pronounce him an inglorious, +if not a pernicious, sovereign of a free +country; but more (and I fear they are not few) +who contemplate the preservation and perhaps the +extension of the monarchical branch of our Constitution +more as the end than the means of public administration, +will, with some justice, regard George III. as +a sensible man, and an able, useful, and fortunate +Prince.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION_TO_BOOK_THE_SECOND">INTRODUCTION +TO BOOK THE SECOND</h2> + +</div> + +<p>The shock occasioned by the death of Princess +Amelia, which occurred in November, 1810, put an +end to any hopes that may have existed of George III.’s +recovery. His intellect, already failing under the +weight of years, finally gave way, and it became +necessary to appoint a Regent to carry on the business +of the country. The physicians still gave hopes +of ultimate recovery, and the Bill which Mr. Perceval +presented to the House of Commons was based on +this supposition. The functions of the Crown were +to be placed temporarily in the hands of the Prince +of Wales, but subject to restrictions which would +materially limit the scope of his powers. The Prince +consulted Lords Grey and Grenville in January, 1811, +as to the written protest he was preparing for presentation +to Mr. Perceval; but already signs of disagreement +began to appear between the Regent and +the party with whom he had habitually acted. A +suggestion for the reinstatement of the Duke of York +as Commander-in-Chief received scant encouragement +from the two Lords; while the fact of its prompt +and favourable reception by the Ministers went far to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>reconcile the Prince to his new advisers. The retention +of the latter in office was all-important to the Queen, +and every ounce of influence which she possessed +over her son was thrown into the balance on their +behalf. Assisted by the doctors, she represented the +state of the King’s health as entirely dependent on +the actions of the Regent. Certain it is that the fear +of in any way jeopardising the precarious existence +of his father weighed heavily with the Prince, when +the time arrived (February 1, 1812) for the expiration +of the restrictions.</p> + +<p>In Spain Wellington’s policy of masterly inaction +had fulfilled its purpose during the winter of 1810. +It was impossible for Massena to maintain his position +in Portugal owing to the lack of local supplies, and +the English were able to resume the offensive after +the arrival of reinforcements from home. Some +success was obtained by the French armies in the +south, where Soult captured Seville, laid siege to +Cadiz, and commenced his march northwards. He was +checked, however, by the success of General Graham +over the besiegers of Cadiz, and returned to resume +the blockade of that town. The victories of Fuentes +d’Onoro and Albuera maintained the superiority of +the English in the field; but owing to the junction +of Soult and Marmont (who had taken over Massena’s +command) during the autumn of 1811, it was not until +early in 1812 that Wellington was able to capture the +fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos, and secure +his base in Portugal from the possibility of attack.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span></p> + +<p>In the north Napoleon was making vast preparations +for bringing the Czar to his senses, and +revenging himself on him for the defection of Russia +from his commercial system—that favourite scheme +of the French Emperor for humbling the pride of +Great Britain by injuring her commerce. Prussia, +now under the guidance of Count Hardenberg, maintained +a vacillating policy, and finally, through fear +of standing alone, was forced into a treaty with +France whereby she was to furnish troops to further +Napoleon’s schemes. Austria was also driven to +conclude a hollow treaty of the same kind, and +Russia was thus left alone to resist the attack of +the all-conquering despot.</p> + +<p>Much suffering and misery were rife among the +lower classes in England during the winter of 1811. +Trade was at its lowest ebb. The effects of +Napoleon’s decrees against English commerce and +the Orders in Council, issued by the Cabinet as a +means of retaliation, fell heavily on the manufacturing +districts. The United States, furious at the +interference with their carrying trade, forbade all +commercial transactions with England or France; +and though the English Cabinet took steps to meet +their views by exempting them from the operation +of the measure, the American Government declared +war in 1812. The Orders in Council were repealed, +through the efforts of Mr. Brougham, soon after +Mr. Perceval’s death; but the news reached the +United States too late to prevent the conflict.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span></p> + +<p>Lord Wellesley resigned his office of Foreign +Secretary in February, 1812. The Prince Regent +renewed his negotiations with the Whig party, +communicating with Lords Grey and Grenville +by means of the Duke of York. No result was +arrived at, and Lord Castlereagh was appointed +to succeed Lord Wellesley. The whole question +of the government of the country was, however, +shortly reopened. On May 11 Mr. Perceval, +the Prime Minister, was assassinated in the lobby +of the House of Commons by Bellingham, a +ruined merchant, of whose sanity there was great +doubt. The Prince Regent was now forced to decide +finally to which party he would give his confidence. +Lord Holland gives a detailed account of the intrigues +and negotiations which took place at this time. +Enough to mention here that after communications +with all parties, in which Lords Liverpool, Wellesley, +and Moira successively took a prominent part, the +Prince retained the Tory party in power, and gave +Lord Liverpool full powers to form an Administration +on the same basis as that which had carried +on the business of the country up to the time of +Mr. Perceval’s death.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="BOOK_THE_SECOND">BOOK THE SECOND<br> +1810 TO JUNE, 1812</h2> + +<p class="center smaller">N.B.—Written in 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821. Transcribed in 1824.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Lord Grenville, who lived near Windsor, had +very early intelligence of the King’s disorder; I +think the Prince of Wales apprised him of the character +and probable duration of the complaint. It had been +intended to prorogue Parliament, which stood for +November 1, but not for the dispatch of business. +The King was too ill to sign the Commission for that +day, and the two Houses on their meeting <i>adjourned</i> +for a fortnight, and continued by successive adjournments +to avoid the transaction of all business till +December 13. The physicians had in the meanwhile +been examined before the Privy Council, the report +of the evidence had been laid before the two Houses +on November 29, and the news of the King’s amendment +and probable recovery was immediately afterwards +very sedulously and generally circulated.</p> + +<p>The Prince of Wales cautiously or scrupulously +abstained from all political concert with the Opposition, +till official communications should be made to him +from Ministers or from Parliament. He pushed that +delicacy so far that he did not see Mr. Sheridan, +who being to the full as desirous of appearing, as of +being, his adviser, was ludicrously anxious to cancel +so mortifying a circumstance. I was at some pains +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>to inform both Lord Grey and Lord Grenville of this +circumstance, but it made them more negligent of +Mr. Sheridan. In every rational view of the subject +it should have furnished a fresh motive, as well as +facilities, for fixing him in their interests. The goodwill +of a man, alike brilliant in society and in Parliament +and very formidable at Court, might have been +propitiated and perhaps purchased at a very cheap +rate, without any sacrifice of principle or any surrender +of dignity. A word of cordiality, a mark of +confidence, or even the homage of outward civility +would have done it; Mr. Sheridan, apt to resent +slights more than injuries, was, with all his impatience +of real obligations, very sensible of petty kindnesses.⁠<a id="FNanchor_78" href="#Footnote_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> +A small favour soothed his vanity, a great one offended +his pride. Incapable of gratitude, he was yet never +hard to please. His mortification at the Prince’s +neglect would have rendered him more open to little +attentions. But Lord Grenville never saw him, and +Lord Grey was hardly civil to him when he did; the +first, partly from a total want of habits with him, +and partly from a certain austerity of manners which +indisposed [him] to cultivate the society of dissolute +men; the latter, from an honest but somewhat over-charged +disdain of all trickery and artificial characters.</p> + +<p>If Mr. Sheridan regarded his interests only, he +must have perceived that favour with the Prince could +alone promote them in a Ministry formed by those +two Lords. If, as is most probable, he was on this, +as on other occasions, swayed chiefly by his vanity, +he must have panted for the opportunity of gratifying +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>it, by making those who had slighted him so unmercifully +feel his importance. When the Prince +soon afterwards took an avowed interest in the proceedings +of Parliament, and communicated to the +two Lords his intention of employing them in the +formation of his Ministry, he resumed his usual habits +with Mr. Sheridan. No attempt to gain the confidence +of the latter was even then made by Lord Grey or +Lord Grenville. The arrangement suggested by +himself seemed to disprove any sinister designs +against the new Administration; yet it was coldly +received, and, I believe, peremptorily rejected by Lord +Grenville. Before the appointments were settled, and +as if to relieve the new Government from the painful +necessity of excluding such abilities from their Cabinet, +Mr. Sheridan applied for the Secretaryship of Ireland. +That office would have removed him during the +greater part of the year from London. It bespoke, +consequently, no premeditated design of securing by +assiduity that much-dreaded ascendancy over the mind +of the Prince, which, when admitted to his society, +his long intimacy, delightful conversation, and exquisite +wit, ever subservient to his purposes, enabled +him to assume. There were indeed other and grave +objections to the appointment. Perhaps they were +insurmountable. But Lord Grenville and Lord Grey +showed upon that and every other occasion a repugnance +to consult or to court him, and possibly a disinclination +to serve him, which he was too keen-sighted +not to perceive and too vain not to resent.</p> + +<p>I have related these circumstances somewhat out +of the order of time, that I may not interrupt my +narrative of events, which flowed from them but +did not occur till a later period. Lord Grey did +not conceal his chagrin at the inaction of the Prince +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>during the first six weeks of his father’s incapacity. +In the only audience I had with the Prince of +Wales, he told me that he wished to avoid all +reproach, but adhered firmly to his opinions of 1788. +He let me see, however, that meddling tale-bearers +had reported incautious expressions of Lord Grey +to him. He mentioned him, nevertheless, with +regard; and though he quoted a foolish song of +Captain Morris, in which Grey had been styled, “The +youth who tossed his head so high,” or some such +phrase, he spoke of his impetuosity in terms not inconsistent +with kind intentions or even with friendship +and affection. Without saying anything positive, +he was always very dexterous in conveying an +impression to those he talked with.⁠<a id="FNanchor_79" href="#Footnote_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> Mine on this +occasion was, that he would place his Government +in the hands of the Whigs, but that he would take +his own time and way of doing it, and that he had +been nettled at the observations to which his delay +had given rise, or in which their impatience had +indulged.</p> + +<p>An expression of Lord Grey had been officiously +reported to the Prince as a communication +to him. “If,” said Lord Grey, “the Prince would +but hold up his finger, he would have everything +his own way.” But the Prince conveyed to him +and to Lord Grenville, through Mr. Adam, his determination +not to see either of them. He hinted, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>at the same time, that they might serve him, by +asking questions in Parliament concerning the steps +taken by the Ministers to apprise him of the state +of the King’s health and of the public affairs. To +Mr. Adair,⁠<a id="FNanchor_80" href="#Footnote_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> who had injudiciously sought and obtained +an audience, he spoke with acrimony of the +two Lords and of the late Administration (Lord Moira +and myself excepted). He seemed hurt at the impatience +expressed at his supineness, and said, “They +think me a nervous man; by God! they shall find +me an <i>Homme de nerfs</i>,” with much that betrayed +irritation and dislike.</p> + +<p>This was early in December. Lord Grey set off +soon afterwards to Lady Grey, who was brought to +bed in Northumberland. The Prince began to speak +with less reserve of his resentment at Mr. Perceval’s +conduct. Some manœuvres, and among them the +introduction of the Chancellor⁠<a id="FNanchor_81" href="#Footnote_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> to the King as +a <i>medical expedient</i>, practised by the Queen, the +Ministers, and the physicians, without any concert +with the Prince, greatly exasperated him. He now +saw Mr. Sheridan frequently, and those connected +with his Household avowed their intention of voting +against Mr. Perceval’s resolutions. They no longer +scrupled to consult with the Whigs on the means +of securing an attendance. Their efforts, however, +did little against the first resolutions, which related +to the mode of supplying the deficiency of the Regal +power, and which were carried on December 20, +1810, by 269 to 157.</p> + +<p>In the debate Mr. Perceval displayed some talent +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>and more spirit. Several of the Grenville branch of +Opposition, as well as Mr. Canning, voted with +Ministers; they both, however, announced an intention +of opposing some, if not all, the restrictions which +Mr. Perceval meant to impose. The reverence for a +precedent from which Mr. Pitt had derived popularity +in 1788, together with some faint hopes of the King’s +recovery, outweighed the influence of Carlton House +and the strong objections to a clumsy and unconstitutional +contrivance. The latter were nevertheless +enforced in an argumentative speech of Mr. Horner, +which remained unanswered in debate, and is not +much weakened by the written but unspoken oration +attributed in <i>Cobbett’s Register</i> to Mr. Croker. On +the same day Mr. Perceval apprised the Prince of +Wales officially of his intended motion. The Prince +concerted his answer with Mr. Sheridan, and the +Princes of the Blood Royal signed and printed a +sort of remonstrance to the measure.⁠<a id="FNanchor_82" href="#Footnote_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>In the House of Lords, Lord Grenville supported +the resolutions; Lord Grey was absent. The management +of the debate on the part of Opposition fell on +Lord Lansdowne and myself, and we flattered ourselves +that the constitutional objections to the strange +proceeding resorted to were as clearly stated and as +forcibly urged in our speeches and protest as they +had been either in 1788 or in the House of Commons. +For the learning and research I was chiefly indebted +to Mr. Allen, who, assisted by some letters written by +Doctor Lawrence and printed in <i>Cobbett’s Register</i> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>in 1803 and 1804, furnished me and Mr. Horner with +many views of the subject and precedents from our +early history strictly in point, which had escaped +the researches of Lord Loughborough, Mr. Burke, +and Mr. Hargrave in 1788.</p> + +<p>The subsequent resolutions in favour of restricting +the Prince Regent were carried by smaller majorities. +The House of Commons had been called over. The +prospect of the Prince’s accession to power grew +more certain; his hostility to Mr. Perceval more +apparent. There were, therefore, stronger motives +for resisting the second than the first string of +resolutions. They passed, however, though by scanty +majorities, such as 24, 16, 19. The fifth resolution +was amended in a particular of some importance, +on the motion of Lord Gower, by a majority of 13, +the Ministry voting in the minority. Nothing remarkable +occurred in the discussions. Lord Grenville’s +friends did not deem it necessary to sacrifice the +views of the party and the substantial object of a +Government, founded on the principles they approved, +to a pedantic, technical, and almost superstitious +reverence for his arguments of 1788; when, if the question +was the same, the circumstances of the country +and the reasons of State were entirely dissimilar. +Mr. Sheridan was observed to be neither brilliant +in his oratory nor cordial or zealous in his conduct.</p> + +<p>In the House of Lords, Lord Grenville allowed +himself to be more harassed by former opinions +than was convenient to his party purposes, or indeed +at all necessary to the preservation of any reasonable +or substantial consistency. In deference to an ideal, +prudish, and pedantic notion of nominal rather than +real consistency, he confined all his opposition to +particular words. He thus enabled Lord Liverpool, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>after the Committee had, upon Lord Lansdowne’s +motion, omitted the mention of restrictions in the +first resolution, in which Lord Grenville concurred, +to reconcile him to voting with Ministers on the other +subsequent questions, by moving himself to omit +some few words to which Lord Grenville had taken +exception and having the whole in a shape which +that Lord was pledged to support. Lord Liverpool +seized the moment and mode of accomplishing his +purpose with admirable quickness and dexterity; and +as two peers, Lord Ashburton,⁠<a id="FNanchor_83" href="#Footnote_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> from simplicity and +blind reliance on Lord Grenville, and Lord Auckland,⁠<a id="FNanchor_84" href="#Footnote_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> +from a want of address truly unaccountable in so +old a politician, followed Lord Grenville’s vote and +opinion against his interests and his wishes, our small +majority was lost. The resolutions passed the Committee +in a shape somewhat less consistent with +themselves, but sufficient to secure the objects of +Mr. Perceval and the concurrence of the House of +Commons.</p> + +<p>On Committees no proxies are allowed; on the +Report the Ministerialists called for them, with a +hope of reinstating the words which Lord Lansdowne’s +motion in the Committee had omitted. +We determined to resist the use of proxies. But +our objections could not arise till they were called +for; they could not be called for till a division; and +according to parliamentary usage, at least in the Lords, +no speech can be made and no question put during +a division. It followed that when our teller, Lord +Lauderdale, peremptorily refused to mark them, a +scene of great embarrassment ensued. We were +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>like the characters in <i>The Critic</i>, at a “deadlock.” +The altercation and confusion increased, and I am +afraid I clenched my fist, and, upon a peer offering +to rise, swore aloud that, “By God, no man should +speak!” At length one of the tellers, who had alone +the right to open their mouths, moved an adjournment +during pleasure, and on the House being resumed, +the discussion on the propriety of receiving proxies +commenced. We insisted that none had been called +for in 1788. We had little else to allege in favour +of our doctrine, for the notion (however constitutional) +that we were a Convention and not a Parliament, was +at variance with the recent decision of the House.</p> + +<p>Lord Stanhope,⁠<a id="FNanchor_85" href="#Footnote_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> however, drew a very ingenious +inference from the form of a proxy, which is grounded +on “<i>the permission of our Lord the King, that Session +obtained</i>,” or some such words. He contended the +privilege could not be exerted in a case where it +was manifest from the matter in hand that the permission +on which it rested could never have been +given. This argument, whether plausible or really +sound, was sufficient to satisfy what Lord Stanhope +called “the Whig majority of Peers.” Those present +deserved that appellation, and proved that “<i>les absents +ont tort</i>,” by voting that the proxies, which would have +placed them in a minority, were inadmissible.⁠<a id="FNanchor_86" href="#Footnote_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> The +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span>resolution was, I think, tenable and perhaps constitutional, +but it was voted by persons who probably did +not require that recommendation to make it go down. +Lord Stanhope, delighted alike with the uproar and +the success, embraced me with his long arms as we +went downstairs, and whispered in my ear, “This, my +dear <i>Citoyen</i>, is rare fun. If I could often have such +nights as these, I would live in the House of Lords: +it is such high fun.”</p> + +<p>This was on January 4, 1811. On the 5th, Lord +Liverpool moved back the original words of the +first resolution, and they were admitted without +a division. It was a singular coincidence that +these debates, arising from the lunacy of the +King, were attended by another monarch who had +been deposed in substance, if not in form, for a +similar calamity. The King of Sweden⁠<a id="FNanchor_87" href="#Footnote_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> was under +the Throne during the greater part of these discussions.</p> + +<p>On January 6, in compliance with commands +conveyed through Mr. Adam, Lord Grenville had +an audience of the Prince of Wales at Carlton +House. His Royal Highness began by informing +him that he must consider the communication as +made jointly to him and to Lord Grey, the latter +unluckily being not yet returned from Northumberland. +His immediate object was advice how to +frame an answer to the address which would shortly +be presented to him by both Houses. He then +spoke with much apparent feeling of the embarrassments +of his own situation, adverted to the difficulties +of forming a strong Government for the conduct of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span>affairs in the House of Commons, condemned all +exclusions of persons, and after acknowledging some +personal dislike of Mr. Canning and glancing at the +grounds of it, <i>viz.</i>, his intimacy with the Princess, +he indicated the convenience and almost recommended +a coalition with him. He spoke more +directly of his wish to reinstate the Duke of York, +and he conversed on public and foreign measures, +in the judgment of Lord Grenville, both ably and +satisfactorily. There was sufficient concurrence of +opinion on these topics between him and Lord +Grenville to remove all apprehension of a separate +will in the Court and the Ministry, should the Whigs +possess the latter.</p> + +<p>At the close of the conversation he directed Lord +Grenville to consult with Lord Grey and Lord Moira, +and referred to him and to them the propriety of +forming a new Administration and the consideration +of the means of completing it; adding, that he +hoped all their arrangements might be prepared by +the time he assumed the functions of Regent under +the authority of the Act of Parliament. Lord +Grenville, after stating generally his view of public +affairs, declined entering into the details of arrangements +till further communication with Lord Grey +and those of his friends immediately conversant with +the House of Commons; he deemed it, however, an +act of fairness and duty to state explicitly his views +of one subject, on which the Prince of Wales had +dwelt with so much emotion and honourable feeling—the +reinstatement of the Duke of York. He deplored, +he said, the treatment the Duke had met with; he +had almost said, could such an expression be pardoned, +that he felt compassion for him, for he had been, +in his judgment, misrepresented and slandered. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>But notwithstanding the concurrence of many of his +best friends in this view of what had passed, he +feared that the obstacles to the reinstatement of the +Duke of York, arising from the temper of the House +of Commons and from the prejudices and opinions of +the great body of the public, and of the Whigs more +especially, were quite insurmountable. He would +cheerfully consult with others on that subject, and +certainly with an earnest desire to further His Royal +Highness’s wishes, but he could not conceal from him +that he had little hope of finding it practicable to +reinstate the Duke of York as Commander-in-Chief.</p> + +<p>Such was the substance of that conversation +as related to me by Lord Grenville himself. He +lost no time in communicating the result of this +audience to his friends in town; and I endeavoured +on that occasion to impress on his mind the necessity +of prosecuting the Spanish war, and the propriety +of discountenancing by some legislative acts the +disposition, too prevalent in our Courts, of harassing +and if possible crushing the liberty of the press. +These were the two points on which I thought our +leading Whigs of that day stood most in need of +admonition, and I believe Mr. Horner and Sir Samuel +Romilly agreed with me.</p> + +<p>On Wednesday, January 9, Lord Grey arrived +in London. The Prince saw him next day, and was +yet more communicative than he had been with Lord +Grenville. The result, on the subject of the Duke +of York, was nearly the same. When the Prince +of Wales suggested that the accession of Mr. Canning +would strengthen his new Government in the House +of Commons, Lord Grey, ever artless, open, and +manly, exposed the impolicy of weakening the attachment +of old friends by a precarious connection with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>new or doubtful ones. The Prince, either designedly +or accidentally, touched on a subject of some +embarrassment—Lord Grenville’s auditorship.⁠<a id="FNanchor_88" href="#Footnote_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> He +hinted at the difficulty or even impossibility of uniting +it again with the Treasury. He very pertinently +remarked that Lord Grenville’s recent correspondence +with Mr. Perceval, in which he had scrupled to draw +an order for the issue of monies upon a warrant +from the Treasury, added to the embarrassment, by +showing that one of these offices was in certain +cases a check upon the other.</p> + +<p>Lord Grey and Lord Grenville drew up without +delay an answer to the two Houses, which was to +be delivered on the 11th. The draft arrived at Carlton +House as the Prince was sitting down to dinner on +the 10th, and, as ill-fortune would have it, Mr. +Sheridan dined with him on that day. The paper +became the topic of conversation and criticism after +dinner. According to the report of Mr. Adam, who +was present, Mr. Sheridan inveighed against the substance +and ridiculed both the composition and the +authors, till the Prince swore he would not send it +and requested Mr. Sheridan to alter it or to frame a +new one. He seized with great avidity and emphatically +approved of a remark made by that gentleman, +for which, to say the truth, there was some foundation. +“It was impossible,” said Sheridan, “for a man who, +like Lord Grenville, had voted for the first resolutions +and even for some of the most offensive restrictions, +to frame such an answer as would suit a Prince who +wished to convey his unequivocal disapprobation of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span>both.” The Prince sent back the paper with many +alterations and comments, and much underlined; and +he directed the two Lords to improve the form, but +to incorporate the substance of his interlineations and +remarks into the answer.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, or rather at the same moment, +Mr. Adam brought this account to Lord Grey at my +house in Pall Mall.⁠<a id="FNanchor_89" href="#Footnote_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> He related with some asperity +the behaviour of Mr. Sheridan, who shortly afterwards +followed him. Lord Grey, with great dignity but +with much propriety and good temper, observing +that it was impossible for him or Lord Grenville to +be responsible for sentiments they had not written, +drove off to Camelford House. Mr. Sheridan and +Mr. Adam, flushed with wine and irritated by dispute, +argued the question over again with considerable +warmth. Mr. Sheridan at first alleged that he did +not know that the two Lords had been directly and +exclusively entrusted to draw up the paper; but Mr. +Adam contended, and indeed proved, that Mr. Sheridan +was fully aware of it. Mr. Sheridan then maintained, +with some plausibility, that till they were actually +Ministers they were not technically in a responsible +situation, and that Lord Grenville’s circumstances not +only did not confer an exclusive right to advise on +such a subject, but actually disqualified him from +doing so with effect or propriety. The two Lords +withdrew their paper, and one of Mr. Sheridan’s composition +was delivered. It expressed strongly enough, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>but not very happily either in thought or in language, +the Prince’s disapprobation of the late proceedings.</p> + +<p>Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, not satisfied with +barely withdrawing their paper, deemed it more fair +and honourable to explain, at this very early stage +of their official connection with the Prince Regent, +their sense of the indignity and inconvenience which +might arise from the interference of unauthorised +advisers in transactions for which they should be +practically and constitutionally responsible. Such a +declaration, however open, was bold and injudicious; +for it was not absolutely called for, though it might +be justified by the occasion. Yet had they explained +themselves in an audience with the Prince Regent, +the firmness of their tone and the soundness of the +principle they had to enforce might have produced +some salutary impression on His Royal Highness: +though they could hardly have prevented occasional +recurrence of such events with a Prince of natural +levity, whose habits were formed to very familiar intercourse +not only with Mr. Sheridan but with many +persons much further removed from the character +and capacity of ostensible advisers. But the passion +for pen and ink was strong upon Lord Grenville +during the whole of that season. It outweighed every +other consideration. The two Lords sent a laboured +remonstrance to the Prince, in which he was taken +to task for his conduct. The respective duties of a +Minister who advises and of a Prince who is advised +were expounded in a manner highly constitutional, +but not withal very conciliatory from two statesmen +on the eve of their appointment.</p> + +<p>There can be little doubt that the first use made +of this paper was to show it to Mr. Sheridan. There +can be as little that he, sore at the whole transaction, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>bitterly ridiculed the performance, and laboured to +affix on the authors of it the design of riding the +Prince with a sharp curb and stinging lash which +they had not even the caution to conceal till they +had reached the saddle. “He antedates the hatred +due to power,” said Pope to Lord Cobham; and the +same thought was applied in fifty different ways to +his relation Lord Grenville by Mr. Sheridan, who, in +venting his resentment on this unlucky affair, gave +an impression of the haughty demeanour of the two +Whig Lords which he could never afterwards efface +from the mind of the Regent. He wrote a long +narrative of what passed in a letter to me.⁠<a id="FNanchor_90" href="#Footnote_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>I have dwelt more on this occurrence, because +I am persuaded that it indisposed the Regent’s +mind, and had a great effect in determining his +subsequent conduct. He professed himself, however, +so anxious to remove all misunderstanding that he +condescended to come to me in the gout and to +explain for near three hours at my couch side in +Pall Mall the whole proceeding. He assured me +that he looked forward with eagerness to the two +Lords completing their arrangements; and that he +was satisfied that on nothing, except the answer +regarding the restrictions, he should ever wish to +consult with anybody but Lord Grenville and those +with whom he acted. Notwithstanding these assurances, +there is reason to suspect that he complained +of the two Lords to others besides Mr. Sheridan, +for Lord Yarmouth⁠<a id="FNanchor_91" href="#Footnote_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> made some significant remarks +on their imagining themselves more necessary to +the Regent than they really were.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span></p> + +<p>The difficulties in forming a Ministry were great. +The Grenvilles desired to negotiate with Mr. Canning; +others of our party, and Mr. Whitbread in particular, +would never have been brought to consent to it. +Lord Grenville was also unwilling either to resign +his auditorship or to relinquish the Treasury. In +the course of discussion on the latter point his +evil genius dipped him again in pen and ink, and +he argued for his profits and places in a manner +which, though neither unreasonable nor unnatural, +was more becoming a merchant than a statesman +aspiring to power and fame. Such a man should +consider even fair-earned emolument as a secondary +and sometimes an incompatible object. Mr. Whitbread +was not less stubborn or less offensive in his resistance +to any union, direct or indirect, of the two +offices. He acknowledged all danger from such a +measure, either in itself or as a precedent, to be a +mere chimera; he did not even dwell much on the +violation of constitutional principle which it seemed +to involve. The practical advantage of a Whig +Administration, he owned, far outweighed all such +considerations; but he had, it seemed, in public and +private, held language on this and similar topics, +which would expose him to the charge of inconsistency, +should he acquiesce in any such arrangements. +Having put a question, he said, the year before, to +Mr. Perceval, whether Mr. Yorke received his salary +as teller while First Lord of the Admiralty, and +having been answered in the negative, he could +never bring himself to defend Lord Grenville’s receiving +the salary of auditor while he was First +Lord of the Treasury.</p> + +<p>After the matter had been discussed among us +with great pertinacity and some asperity on both +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>sides, it was at last compromised, I know not how, +by the two Lords. Other difficulties in the distribution +of places no doubt occurred, but many I have +forgotten, and many never reached me. Gout continued +to confine me to my bed for some time. Lord +Grey acted throughout with judgment, temper, and +firmness: he gave no reasonable cause of dissatisfaction +to recent and younger partisans; he conciliated +and gratified the old friends of Mr. Fox.</p> + +<p>I had some scruples about the Spanish war. +Lord Grenville, from economy, Lord Grey, from +a propensity to criticise military movements, were +disposed to contemplate it with less hope, and +possibly with less zeal, than myself. But as they +agreed on the immediate necessity of supplying +Lord Wellington’s army with reinforcements and +vigorously supporting the plans in which he was +engaged, I saw no reason for reviving the shades +of difference we might have had on the origin or +early progress of the war, nor for exacting a previous +concurrence of opinion in certain contingencies which +had not yet occurred. I was willing to take my +chance of the zeal which the conduct and management +of the war would inevitably have inspired +in such ardent and sanguine minds as Lord Grey’s +and Mr. Whitbread’s.</p> + +<p>While, however, delays occurred in forming a +new Ministry, those in possession did not remain +inactive. Favoured by the Queen, and aided by +at least one of the physicians, they worked with +great assiduity and address on the affections, the +fear, the vanity, and, some say, the pecuniary interests +of the Prince of Wales. At one time, the +King’s disorder had taken a new turn, seemed +to hold out great hopes of a speedy recovery, or +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>was likely to terminate ere long in a restoration of +his intellect or in death. At another, the pressure +of public business called for a stable Government, +and the financial operations of the State could not +be conducted with safety or advantage till the +persons entrusted with the confidence of the executive +Government were known. The effect of a +clamour against Roman Catholics, the popularity +which Mr. Perceval might give to the Princess, the +consequences of any change on the King’s health, +and, above all, the reproaches to which the Prince +would thereupon be exposed, were artfully insinuated +by the partisans of the Ministers and the Queen, +and perhaps really felt by others who had more +direct influence over his mind as well as the opportunity +of impressing their views in softer moments. +The Minister was admitted to the presence of the +King, and the Queen wrote instantly an account of +the interview to her son. I was not allowed to +copy the letter, but the substance of it was as follows: +“To assure her dearest son that she was persuaded +he would be highly gratified to hear that the +King was improved in health; that he had seen +Mr. Perceval, who was much satisfied with his whole +appearance; that he had held a reasonable conversation, +and inquired with great interest about all that had +been done; that he had expressed himself with kindness +towards the Prince, and pleased at his conduct +<i>pending the business</i>.” She added that she “avoided +all delay in conveying such agreeable information.”</p> + +<p>The Prince, though aware of the artifice, and even +diverted at the formal expression of, <i>pending the business</i>, +which he shrewdly observed was “no woman’s +phrase, but a lawyer’s,” was nevertheless much agitated +and intimidated by the letter. Such fears were said to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>be improved upon by Sir Henry Halford,⁠<a id="FNanchor_92" href="#Footnote_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> who repeated +observations to the King, affected to dread the consequences +of any change of Ministers, not only on the +disorder, but on the life, of the King, and is much +belied if he did not convert his professional access +to the Prince of Wales to purposes purely political. +The Duke of Cumberland observed in a letter, +“Vaughan (Sir Henry Halford) has behaved nobly +by us all.” I cannot vouch for the fact of his active +interference, but accounts of it reached me through +channels worthy of credit, and they were generally +believed.</p> + +<p>On January 21, 1811, Lord Grey and Lord Grenville +informed the Prince Regent by letter that they were +ready to undertake the Government, but advised him +to institute a fresh inquiry into the state of the King’s +health; and if it should appear probable that His +Majesty would be able to resume the exercise of the +Regal functions <i>within a few weeks</i>, then and in that case, +they recommended him not to change the Ministers; +though they disclaimed all approbation, much less +adoption, of their system of policy being implied from +their recommendation, or from the Prince Regent’s +compliance with it by continuing them in office. If +the result of the inquiry was different, they then +repeated their readiness to submit without delay +to the Prince Regent the appointments which they +should recommend to His Royal Highness.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the 25th, the Prince Regent, after +stating to Lord Moira, Lord Hutchinson, and Mr. +Adam the agitation of his mind and imploring them to +do justice to his feelings, sent the two last to Camelford +House to inform Lord Grey and Lord Grenville that, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span>in consequence of the report of physicians and the probability +of the King’s recovery, he had resolved not +to remove the Ministers; he expressed his hopes that +the two Lords would approve of his determination +and his sense of the disinterested as well as judicious +advice they had given. He afterwards saw them, Mr. +Ponsonby, myself, and others; referred his determination +merely and exclusively to the report of the +King’s health, which, whether true or false, would, +he said, subject him to so much reproach if he did +anything to aggravate his disorder, that he must +continue for a while with men whom he hated and +despised. He then proceeded to abuse them without +measure, and in many particulars without justice, +declaring that he never had and never could “break +bread” in the house of any one of them. His public +reception of Mr. Perceval with the resolution of the +two Houses was not only cold but offensive. When +a Privy Council was held at Carlton House and he +took the oath of Regency, the bust of Mr. Fox was +ostentatiously displayed in the apartment.</p> + +<p>In his letter to Mr. Perceval announcing his determination +to preserve him in office, he pointedly +declared that an apprehension of interfering with +the progress of his father’s recovery was the consideration +which <i>alone</i> dictated that decision. He +lamented the situation in which the Regency Bill +had placed him, said of it that it was most difficult +to reconcile it to the principles of the Constitution, +and broadly hinted throughout that nothing but +peculiar circumstances could have brought him to +any communication or concert with men so obnoxious +to him. They, however, lacked some of that high +and jealous honour which distinguished Lord Grey, +and were not so alive as Lord Grenville to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>necessity of preserving the constitutional relation of +Prince and Ministry in all its purity. Foreseeing +the practical consequences of their temporary continuance +in office, they submitted without a murmur +to the indignity of being disavowed and reviled. +They consoled themselves with the prospect of +riveting their power, either by intimidating or +cajoling the person who, in the first instance, conferred +it upon them so ungraciously and so reluctantly.</p> + +<p>Such seems to me the solution of their conduct. +With respect to the Prince Regent, I am inclined +to believe that the motives he alleged had really +some weight in determining him, though some that +he suppressed had as much or more. Persons, indeed, +have carried their refinement in suspicion so far as +to imagine that the Queen’s letter, the interviews +with Lord Grey and Lord Grenville and with their +friends, and the rudeness to Mr. Perceval, were all +parts of a scheme, concerted like the plot of a comedy +with the Duke of Cumberland, the Lord Chancellor, +the Queen, and the Prince Regent; and that the +resolution to connect himself with those whom he +affected to style his enemies was taken very early, +and produced by the high offers which Mr. Perceval +made in the arrangement for the Household, and by +the suggestions which the Royal Family, and even +the mad King himself, were instructed to make to +him during the fortnight in which Lord Grey and +Lord Grenville were occupied in preparing a Ministry. +Such duplicity is surely incredible, especially as it +would have been unnecessary. It is, however, true +that the old King’s wishes on one important point +were urged by himself in an interview with the Prince +Regent, <i>viz.</i>, on the reinstatement of the Duke of +York. The facility with which the Ministers engaged +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>to comply with that measure formed a strong contrast, +in the mind of the Regent, with the scruples and hesitations +of Lord Grey and Lord Grenville on the subject.</p> + +<p>Whether he ascribed the backwardness of the two +Lords to want of will or want of power, he drew, no +doubt, an inference unfavourable to the Whigs, as +either from principle less compliant with the wishes +of a Court, or from the state of parties less capable +of promoting them. The position into which the +Regent had cast himself, whether from design or +accident, was, while it lasted, peculiarly adapted to +secure the gratification of any personal object he +had in view. One party was full of devices to obtain +his favour; the other, of forbearance not to forfeit +it. This did not escape the friends of the Duke of +York; and Lord Lauderdale, in particular, saw the +advantage of the conjuncture for obtaining his reinstatement. +He urged that measure, which in all +sincerity he thought just and wise, with more warmth +of friendship to the Duke than consideration for +the interests of the party to which he belonged. He +persuaded others, and perhaps himself, that by +allowing it to be accomplished during that intermediate +state of Ministry and Opposition, the Whigs +might escape the unpopularity of doing it with the +public and the odium of resisting it with the Prince +Regent. Mr. Sheridan, with more shrewdness and +pleasantry, advised the Regent to wait till his +father’s predicted recovery should enable him to +resume his functions, and then to urge <i>him</i> to adopt +the measure.</p> + +<p>The Duke of York behaved with dignity, delicacy, +and propriety. He avowed his hopes of ultimate +reinstatement, but he deprecated so unpopular an +act at the commencement of his brother’s administration +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>of affairs. The Regent, however, urged by his +family, encouraged by his Ministers, prompted by +his pride, and swayed by some generosity of affection, +replaced him.</p> + +<p>Lord Milton,⁠<a id="FNanchor_93" href="#Footnote_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> against the wishes of many of our +party, moved an address in censure of this step. He +divided only 47. It must be acknowledged that +among that small number were to be found some of +the best names in the House of Commons.</p> + +<p>The impression made on the Regent by Lord Grenville’s +reluctance, Mr. Perceval’s cordial support, and +Lord Milton’s open opposition, to a measure vindicating +the honour of his family and earnestly desired +by himself, was, no doubt, like that avowed by King +William to the Duke of Wharton. “After all,” said +King William, “the Tories are the best Ministers for +a King.” “Yes,” replied the Duke, “but Your Majesty +is not King of the Tories.”⁠<a id="FNanchor_94" href="#Footnote_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> It was the endeavour +of Mr. Perceval to preclude the application of such +a reply, and to make the Regent as much King of +the Tories as of the Whigs; and in that endeavour +he signally succeeded. The Regent kept up for some +time his usual habits of private intercourse with +members of the Opposition. He dined at Lord Grey’s +upon his own invitation. He there authorised Lord +Hutchinson to insinuate his good wishes, if not +actually to use his name, in canvassing the Irish +Peerage in favour of Lord Leitrim, the Whig candidate +for a representative seat in the House of +Lords, then vacant. His situation, as it respected +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>our party, was indeed most anomalous. When he +avowed any hostility to his ostensible Ministers, we +were bound by the fundamental principles of our +party to condemn his conduct as unconstitutional; +when he betrayed any approbation of them, we were +not backward in stigmatising his conduct as unsteady, +insincere, and deceitful to us. Such a state of things +could not last, and his cordiality with the Whigs, +whether real or affected in the outset, visibly declined +during the summer. I have been prolix in relating +the facts, and rigidly scrupulous in conveying my +impression of the motives of the Prince Regent, +because I am satisfied that his character will be +judged by posterity, or at least that portion of posterity +which forms the future political circle of England, +with reference to his conduct during this period of +his life.</p> + +<p>A letter from General FitzPatrick⁠<a id="FNanchor_95" href="#Footnote_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> to his brother +Lord Ossory proves that experienced observers +formed upon the same data a different judgment, +and as it is more favourable to His Royal Highness +than my own, I subjoin it, that his reputation +may have the benefit of so indulgent a testimony +from a man of acknowledged sagacity and honour, +accurately informed, and not swayed by any prepossession +in his favour.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p class="right"><i>Thursday.</i></p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Dear Brother</span>,</p> + +<p>I have had two very long audiences at Carlton +House, and have consequently been let into the +minute details of <i>all</i> that has passed, as well as <i>all</i> +the letters, papers, etc., that have been written in the +course of the transactions that have preceded the +Prince’s final determination not to make any change +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>in the Government. Much as I was prepossessed +that his decision had been wrong, both with respect +to his own character, to the public interests, and +towards the persons to whom he had given his confidence, +I must confess that he has succeeded in +convincing me that under the very particular and +unexampled difficulties of his situation, he has adopted +the only line of conduct he possibly could, without +exposing himself to the most odious imputations of +destroying the sanguine hopes of his father’s recovery +and even endangering his life, in order to establish +an inefficient and feeble Government, probably of very +short duration, and of no power to act with any real +advantage to the public interests, or to face or struggle +with any of the difficulties which threaten the security +of the <i>chose publique</i> from all quarters. In taking +this resolution, however, though he cannot be justly +charged with having departed from the rules of +honour or <i>bonne foi</i>, it is certainly unfortunate for +himself that he did not make a more early communication +of it to those to whom he had given his +confidence, as it throws upon his conduct the appearance +of weakness, unsteadiness, and failure in point +of firmness, to which many will be more inclined to +ascribe it than to the motives of filial duty and +affection upon which he himself entirely founds it. +This decision they themselves (I mean the two G.G.’s)⁠<a id="FNanchor_96" href="#Footnote_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> +had recommended at an earlier period in case of a +prospect of speedy recovery: and that case is now +represented to the Prince to be arrived. Upon the +whole, however, it is evident that he is the victim +of a Court intrigue, managed by the Queen and the +Ladies of Windsor, a treacherous brother—the D. of +C.,⁠<a id="FNanchor_97" href="#Footnote_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> and an intriguing, meddling physician.</p> + +<p>He is, in his present temper, as much indisposed and, +in his heart, as adverse to his Ministers as possible; +but how long this disposition may endure is somewhat +doubtful, for if the King be really so far recovered +as to become an actor in the conspiracy himself, he +will be as tractable as they can wish him. If you are +inclined not to give him credit for all the filial piety +he professes, his anxiety to do what his father will +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>approve is (whether through fear or affection) excessive. +He is already in the full conviction that the King, +having been made acquainted with the state of things, +has expressed his perfect reliance upon the Prince of +Wales doing whatever is most right and proper in +his situation. I believe all the physicians do sincerely +think the recovery probable, though perhaps not, +as Halford has said, highly so in <i>three months</i>; but +surely it does appear most strange that the Chancellor +and Perceval should be permitted to see and talk upon +business with him, and one of the physicians hold +an intercourse upon politics with him, when he is +not sufficiently recovered to be allowed to see the +Queen or any one of his family. The leaders of +Opposition suppress their disappointment (if they +feel any), as becomes them. As to the number of +guests who were invited and ready to fall to with +craving appetites, it is natural they should feel a little +as Sancho did upon the physicians ordering every +dish to be removed from the table. As none of the +feast would have come to my share, I could, of course, +feel no disappointment. You do me justice in believing +that I needed no great stock of philosophy to be +contented with <i>otium</i> even <i>sine dignitate</i>, excepting +that of closing my political career—what the course +of my life seemed little to have fitted me for an +independent Knight of the Shire⁠<a id="FNanchor_98" href="#Footnote_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> in the House of +Commons. My love to all your house. I rejoice to +hear V. S.⁠<a id="FNanchor_99" href="#Footnote_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> is going on well.</p> + +<p class="center">Yours affectly.</p> + +<p class="right">R. F.</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>General Fitzpatrick had refused all office on the +ground of his declining health. He retained his good +sense and pleasant conversation, but he suspected that +the vigour of his mind was somewhat impaired. The +above letter certainly betrays a facility of belief in +the professions of the great, for which in his more +active days he was by no means remarkable.</p> + +<p>I now return to the events of Parliament in the +Session of 1811.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span></p> + +<p>A circular letter was written by Mr. Secretary Pole⁠<a id="FNanchor_100" href="#Footnote_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> +to the magistrates of Ireland, requiring them to arrest +and commit to prison such persons as had published +any notice for electing any delegate or representative +to a Catholic Convention, styled in the said +circular, in virtue of an Irish Act of 33 Geo. III., an +unlawful assembly.⁠<a id="FNanchor_101" href="#Footnote_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> The Act, however, authorised +no such proceeding, though it made electing such a +Convention, or voting in it, a misdemeanour. The +doctrine and practice inculcated and recommended in +this circular raised many of those questions which +were afterwards more ably urged and better understood, +in 1817, on the motion of Lord Grey on the +circular of Lord Sidmouth. The legal part of the +question was touched upon in our debates, but I +was not sufficiently informed or confident enough +in my own opinion to do it full justice. However, I +entered a short protest on the Journals, in which the +power of a magistrate to hold to bail for a misdemeanour, +which does not amount to a breach of +the peace, is peremptorily denied. It is not printed +in the Registers, but it was approved of by that +cautious lawyer, Sir Arthur Pigott; and Lord Chancellor +Eldon acknowledged to me in private that the +law of Secretary Pole’s letter was indefensible, and +he even called it “<i>slovenly</i>” on his legs.</p> + +<p>There was in the measure some appearance of a +design to involve the Government of the Regent as +soon as possible in an altercation with the Roman +Catholic body, but Mr. Wellesley Pole was not likely +to be a party to such a design; and as the most anti-Catholic +members of the Administration disdained all +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>previous knowledge of the proceeding, it is reasonable +to infer that such a suspicion, though plausible, was +not justified by the fact.</p> + +<p>During the greater part of the Session of Parliament +I was employed in a Committee to inquire into +the circumstances of the death of one <i>Culver</i>, a debtor, +in the Marshalsea prison. There were strong +suspicions that the wretched man had been starved +to death. The evidence given before our Committee +was so indistinct and contradictory that we could +not agree on a report; and the mere evidence which +we did report did not lead to any further Parliamentary +proceeding, either in the treatment of the +deceased prisoner or the conduct of the Coroner’s +jury. The exposure, however, of the state of the +prison, which was in ruin, and where persons convicted +of the most disgusting offences were associated +with the unfortunate debtors during the day and then +shut up with one another during the night, led no +doubt to the speedy completion of a new prison. +Such a building had been declared necessary many +years before, but more progress was made in the +course of the ensuing twelve months than in twelve +years preceding the inquiry.</p> + +<p>As some prospect of a change of Ministry still +existed, I was anxious to pledge myself, and such +others as were willing to support me, to some revision +of the proceedings in cases of libel. The <i>ex officio</i> +informations⁠<a id="FNanchor_102" href="#Footnote_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> are indefensible in reason and very liable +to abuse. If the Whigs obtained the Ministry, I thought +they might, and I was sure they ought to, regulate +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>and perhaps to suppress them, according to the +original intention at the Revolution of 1688. When +parties, however, are in office, though they may be +sincerely determined never to abuse, they are seldom +disposed voluntarily to surrender or curtail any of +their powers, unless in a manner compelled to do so +by recent declarations in favour of such reforms. I +wished so to compel them. As I had sat in Cabinet +with Lord Ellenborough,⁠<a id="FNanchor_103" href="#Footnote_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> and, though not blind to his +defects, enjoyed his conversation in private society, +and respected some talents and many virtues in his +public character, I hoped and laboured, in moving for +a return of the <i>ex officio</i> informations, to avoid every +topic or even phrase which could irritate his temper, +so sore on everything that distantly approached a +reflection on the practice of his Court. I failed in +my endeavours. He treated me with intolerable rudeness, +which I was obliged to repel with equal asperity +and, I think, with much greater success.</p> + +<p>We never afterwards had any altercation in public, +and we both retained a certain goodwill and respect +for one another; but the language which passed produced +a degree of estrangement which, I believe, we +both lamented, but which we were both too proud +to correct. He was a man of an honest but violent +temper, of profound rather than various learning, of +powerful but not persuasive eloquence, of strong +but by no means of enlarged understanding. If he +was not quite so intrepid or so inflexible as he would +have had us believe, so neither was he so harsh +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>or ill-natured as he appeared. Sarcasms and invectives +were always on his lips; but they were +the accidental effervescence of spleen, impatience, or +wit, not the sediments of malignity, from which +his heart was generally clear. One of his defects +was a habit of complaining of the insufficiency of +his income and the narrowness of his circumstances. +He was never sparing of expense; and yet he has +recently (I write in 1819) left a considerable fortune, +which proves his profits to have been not only ample +but splendid.</p> + +<p>Lord Sidmouth, to ingratiate himself with the +Church, had introduced a bill to deprive Dissenting +Ministers of their exemption from serving in the +Militia, unless they could procure a certificate from +respectable householders belonging to their congregation. +On the first notice I sounded the alarm on +the hazard of meddling with the Toleration Act. The +appeal was heard, and his Lordship’s bill, which was +held in abhorrence by the Methodists, served only to +display the numbers and improve the organisation of +that powerful sect. For some days no places were to +be had in the stage coaches and diligences of the +kingdom; all were occupied with petitions to +Parliament against the measure proposed by Lord +Sidmouth. On the day fixed for the debate such +innumerable petitions were presented by Lord Grey, +Lord Erskine, Lord Stanhope, myself, and others, that +not only the table was filled, but the House was filled +with parchment. The peers could hardly get to the +doors, the avenues were so crowded with men of +grave deportment and puritanical aspect; when there, +they had almost equal difficulty in gaining their +seats, for loads of parchment encumbered and obstructed +their way to them. Lord Sidmouth, with a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span>bad grace, was obliged to yield. In the result, religious +liberty was a gainer. To pacify the alarms +which had been raised and the passions which had +been excited, several important concessions were +successively granted in subsequent Sessions to the +various Protestant Dissenters of England.</p> + +<p>Many of their leading men came to thank me in +person. All I requested of them, in return, was to +assist me in extending to any other class of Dissenters +the full enjoyment of their civil and political rights. +They promised they would do so; and when in 1812 +and 1813 I claimed their promise in favour of the +Roman Catholic Dissenters, I found them as good as +their word.</p> + +<p>Parliament this year showed an inclination to discountenance +flogging in the Army. A clause to +substitute at discretion imprisonment for that degrading +and cruel punishment was introduced into the +Mutiny Bill. This tardy and imperfect triumph of +mercy over cruelty and of reason over habit and +prejudice was in a very great degree owing to the +zealous and disinterested exertions, though occasionally +ill-timed, of Sir Francis Burdett. He had, at all +times, the great merit of feeling with sincerity and +expressing without fear great indignation and horror +of all personal cruelty and oppression. This and a +sweetness of temper and manner were his best, +perhaps his only good, qualities in public life. In +political intercourse with individuals or parties he +was, chiefly from facility, little to be relied upon. His +opinions, whenever they were intelligible, were +equally repugnant to reason and subversive of all free +or, at least, of all Parliamentary Government. He +hated the Whigs and the Revolution as much as the +abuses in our representation, and more than any +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>prerogatives of the Crown; and would have reduced the +functions of the House of Commons, even if modelled +to his theory of excellence, to the two functions of +granting money to the Crown and occasionally +impeaching a Minister for corrupt or illegal practices.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the Session was chiefly occupied +with discussions on the state of our circulation and +questions relating to paper and bullion. The merit of +Mr. Horner in the investigation of this intricate +subject, and still more in his honest, zealous, and firm +maintenance of those principles which he was satisfied +were sound, can hardly be appreciated, now that the +prejudices he had to contend with have expired, and +the truths he combated for have proved victorious +upon experience and are generally admitted as incontrovertible +and even obvious.⁠<a id="FNanchor_104" href="#Footnote_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> So far was this +from being the case at the time, that his doctrines were +deemed theoretical and visionary, and his conduct +impracticable, hazardous to the country, and ruinous +to himself. He seemed to sacrifice the fairest objects +of ambition, and to incur at the outset of his public +life the private enmity of large bodies of men and +great unpopularity with the public, by a patient, +diligent, and determined inquiry into matters which, +little attractive in their nature, led him, as he well +knew, to conclusions unpalatable to powerful individuals +as well as to the Bank and the Government. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span>He foresaw that his opinions on this subject must lose +him the seat in Parliament which he then held.</p> + +<p>Such was the repugnance felt at that time to doctrines +now universally approved, that I was assured by Lord +Lansdowne that the borough of Calne would hardly +have chosen the Chairman of the Bullion Committee +for their representative, even if he had been supported +by that recommendation to which on all other occasions +they have uniformly deferred. The dread of +the consequences of fair dealing and honesty, or +rather the persuasion of the convenience of paying +for everything in fluctuating and depreciated paper, +was not confined to the vulgar. All the supporters of +the war, and some who, without approving its origin, +profited by the spirit of speculation to which its +continuance gave occasion, were for preserving a +hazardous and dishonest system which, according to +the fashionable jargon of that day, afforded “such +facilities to the operations of the State.”</p> + +<p>Lord King,⁠<a id="FNanchor_105" href="#Footnote_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> who thoroughly understood the whole +subject of exchanges and currency, devised a method +by no means ill calculated to defeat the system and +disconcert its supporters. He determined to enforce +the strict letter of his leases, and call for the payment +of rent in the lawful coin of the kingdom. Injudiciously +for his object, he sent a circular to that +purpose to his tenants, while Parliament was yet +sitting. The question was thus brought in the first +instance before a tribunal competent to make or alter +the law, instead of one which had no authority but +to enforce it. Lord Stanhope, by some accident, +obtained very early intelligence of this proceeding. +He was a zealous promoter of the paper system, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>with views very different from those entertained or +professed by its other advocates. He was the first +to call the attention of Parliament to the consequences +of Lord King’s demand on his tenants. The bill he +presented to the House of Lords, without actually +declaring banknotes legal tender, deprived the +creditor, to whom they were offered in payment, of +all legal remedy whatever. The measure, though +entirely altered in form, received in substance the +sanction of Parliament. Had Lord King postponed +his circular a few weeks longer, either two prices +would have been established in the markets, all the +facilities, as they were called, annihilated, or the +Parliament would have been called upon to interfere +in the matter, in a case where no political object could +have been imputed to those who exacted their rights.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="illus3" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><i>Peter, Lord King</i></p> + <p><i>J. Hoppner, R.A. Pinx.</i> + <span class="spacer"><i>Emery Walker Ph. Sc.</i></span></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Lord Chesterfield, a man of very large landed property, +blindly attached to the politics of the Court, +but living in some measure in retirement from it, +was on the point of issuing a similar demand on his +tenantry, when Lord King’s operations brought the +subject before the public. Lord Stanhope, who had +panegyrised the system of <i>assignats</i> in France, very +consistently liked the banknotes in England; and +when I told him that he expected them to have the +same effect in England, he whispered, with a suppressed +chuckle, in my ear: “And if they take property +from the drones and give it to the bees, where, my +dear <i>Citoyen</i>, is the great harm of that?” He had +also invented an ingenious device for preventing +forgeries. He always delighted in the application +of science to any political purposes. The hopes of +that experiment being adopted very possibly inflamed +his zeal in support of a paper currency.</p> + +<p>The Prince Regent (whether from real ignorance of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span>the question, from dread of unpopularity, or, as is +most probable, from an incipient disposition to court +his Ministers and detach himself from Opposition, +I know not) disliked the prospect of any resumption +of cash payments. Though originally averse to the +Spanish expeditions and perhaps to the cause of the +insurgents, who mixed too much of the froth, at least, +if not of the essence, of liberty in their productions +to make them palatable to princely appetites, he grew +by degrees interested in the war from the successes +in Portugal and from the discussion of military details +and promotions, always delightful to Royal ears.</p> + +<p>This growing inclination to prosecute the war with +vigour tended, no doubt, to reconcile him to his +Ministers in preference to their opponents, though +it failed to secure his support of Lord Wellesley in +his breach with his colleagues on that very subject. +His conduct on two affairs of less importance foreboded +an approaching alteration in his feelings +towards public men, by indicating a disposition in +him to accommodate differences with those who were +now his official Ministers, but whom he had hitherto +termed and thought his personal enemies. The first +was the Berkeley Peerage; the other, the claim of +Mr. Palmer for remuneration for the invention of +mail coaches.</p> + +<p>The Prince of Wales had taken a strong interest +in establishing the validity of Lord Berkeley’s marriage; +he had even promised him, before his death, +to indemnify his son for any unfavourable decision +which might occur, by conferring an earldom upon +him whenever it should be in his power.⁠<a id="FNanchor_106" href="#Footnote_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> When, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>however, the claim was heard, though he and the other +Royal Princes had been eager in the cause even to indecency, +he gradually became colder and colder; when +it terminated in a decision⁠<a id="FNanchor_107" href="#Footnote_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a> against the marriage, he +either did not venture or did not choose to renew any +promise to the lady or the young man. He was, +however, fully justified, perhaps he was really determined, +by the detection of falsehoods in Lady +Berkeley’s testimony and the undeniable exposure +of the badness of the case.</p> + +<p>Such could not be his motive for withdrawing +all his usual countenance and promised support +from Mr. Palmer. The claim of that gentleman, +containing an implied censure of Mr. Pitt, was +always bitterly resisted by that Minister’s adherents; +but the Prince of Wales had warmly espoused it, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>and had been active and eager in instigating Colonel +Palmer to prosecute it.⁠<a id="FNanchor_108" href="#Footnote_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> The claim itself, if not +strictly and literally just, was in my judgment +irresistible on the honour and policy of the country.⁠<a id="FNanchor_109" href="#Footnote_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>The shrewd in our party left Parliament in the +summer of 1811 with more apprehensions of the +Prince Regent’s designs than confidence in his late +professions. If his resolution to exclude the Whigs +from office was not actually taken before the Session +was closed, I have good reason to believe that even +then, or very shortly afterwards, he harboured a +project of dividing them, and forming a Ministry +composed indiscriminately of various parties in Parliament. +There were reports, very soon after the Prorogation, +of a rupture between the Prince Regent +and Mr. Perceval, and of an endeavour on the part of +the Prince to form a Ministry through Lord Wellesley +and Mr. Canning. I know not what, nor indeed that +anything, passed.</p> + +<p>There were, however, symptoms of a disposition +in the Court to feel the pulse of individuals in +all parties. Mr. Sheridan during the recess saw me +frequently, and questioned me much whether the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>Duke of Bedford, myself, and any old Foxite would +be disposed to accept of high office in a Government, +in the formation of which Lord Grey and Lord +Grenville were not chiefly consulted. I discouraged +all such projects. I cannot tell how far they were +suggestions of his own or concerted with the Prince +Regent. I told him explicitly that unless Lord Grey +or Lord Grenville, as the heads of our party, +or Mr. Ponsonby, as leader of it in the House +of Commons, were sent to in the first instance, any +offer to bring in the Whigs would appear insidious; +that I for one, and probably all men of weight who +professed attachment to the principles of Mr. Fox, +would have nothing to do with it in that shape. We +could not and would not separate from Lord Grenville, +after his consistent and honourable conduct. Lord +Grey or our leader in the House of Commons were +the only other channels through which any offer could +with propriety be conveyed to the party. Lord Grey +and Lord Grenville had been sent for and actually +employed last year. None but Mr. Ponsonby, with +a view of confirming his authority in the House of +Commons and consulting him in the first instance +on the practicability of conducting the business in +that assembly, could now be sent for, without the +appearance or indeed the reality of an affront to the +two Lords, whom the Prince Regent had so recently +acknowledged as the heads of the party and the men +to whom, on a change, he intended to entrust the +management of public affairs. If, therefore, the Prince +Regent intended to form an Administration of his +old friends the Whigs, he would send directly to one +of these three persons. Should he send for any other +member of the party, it would obviously indicate a +design of weakening the party he affected to favour. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>Such was the substance of my answer in more than +one conversation which Mr. Sheridan had sought +with me.⁠<a id="FNanchor_110" href="#Footnote_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>The Regent, or those immediately about him, +had frequent conversations on similar topics with +Mr. Adam. Their art, or Mr. Adam’s own sanguine +nature, completely cajoled him. He was satisfied that +an entire change at the expiration of the restrictions +was intended. He diligently laboured to impress that +conviction upon us all: first, from sincerely believing +and wishing it himself, and, secondly, with a view, +which always led him too far, of surmounting the +difficulty immediately before him, and getting the +pecuniary arrangements connected with the Regency +passed with little opposition in the ensuing Session +of Parliament.</p> + +<p>General Fox⁠<a id="FNanchor_111" href="#Footnote_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> died in the summer of 1811. He was +a kind, affectionate, and reasonable man, without +brilliant talents or extraordinary attainments, and +with very bounded ambition; he had opinions on +public matters more favourable to freedom than is +common in his profession, and a stronger mind than +his friends, or perhaps he himself, ever suspected. +His professional habits were formed in the school of +Sir Guy Carleton⁠<a id="FNanchor_112" href="#Footnote_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a> and Lord Cornwallis, men who, +whatever were their military merits, deserve to be remembered +as the first in our army who systematically +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>disclaimed for themselves and discountenanced in +others all jobs and embezzlement.</p> + +<p>I had at this time no intelligence of the war or +of foreign negotiations but such as Gazettes, Parliamentary +papers, and common Journals supply. I +therefore abstain from relating the events in Spain, +and the changes which were gradually taking place +in the politics of Russia during the summer and +autumn of 1811. I did, indeed, my utmost in private +correspondence with Spaniards to soften that jealousy +which was naturally, but unwisely and unjustly, felt +at our interference.⁠<a id="FNanchor_113" href="#Footnote_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the retreat of Massena, though +admirably conducted by that General and by Ney, +had justified the foresight and relieved the embarrassments +of Lord Wellington. Our prospects +in the Peninsula were improved. The forced exclusion +of all British manufactures from the rest +of Europe (the <i>Continental System</i>, as it was called), +imposed on Russia by intimidation and by the +ascendancy which Napoleon fondly imagined he had +personally acquired over Alexander, was so much +at variance with the interests both of nations and +individuals, that even where the Governments were +cordially subservient to the views of France, they found +it impracticable to maintain so unnatural a policy. +Alexander, who had not had the courage to support +the interests of his Empire against the pretensions +of France, began to discover that even “Autocracy” +itself would not enable him to execute treaties which +he had been base enough to sign against the obvious +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>policy, wishes, and murmurs of his subjects. The +Russians themselves felt the ignominy of submitting +to the dictates of a foreign power, though willingly +enforced by their Czar, when they discovered that +an obedience to those dictates would prevent the +sale of their produce and involve the proprietors +of land in distress and ruin.</p> + +<p>It is singular that while the successful war in +Spain and the rupture between Russia and France—the +two great sources of the subsequent triumph +over Napoleon—were opening themselves in 1811, +the only English Minister from whose sagacity +either of them in any degree flowed was gradually +separating himself from his colleagues. This was +Lord Wellesley.⁠<a id="FNanchor_114" href="#Footnote_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> As Ambassador and Secretary +of State he had given to the councils of Spain +and to our military exertions some statesmanlike +consistency of design. He had also, with no little +dexterity, and (as I have been assured) without consulting +his colleagues, detached General Bernadotte, +then Crown Prince of Sweden, from his connection +with France;⁠<a id="FNanchor_115" href="#Footnote_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> he thereby ensured the co-operation +of a power which might have intimidated Russia +from hostilities with Napoleon, and which did in fact +ultimately determine Alexander, when wavering and +even yielding, to persevere in resistance to the invaders. +Some of his other projects, such as a +negotiation for peace with the Police Minister Fouché, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>and a foolish scheme of rescuing King Ferdinand +from his captivity by means of an adventurer called +Kolli,⁠<a id="FNanchor_116" href="#Footnote_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> were not equally fortunate or well conceived.</p> + +<p>But whatever were the merits or the blemishes of +his designs abroad, he was at this time meditating +a line of policy at home which would have led to +great changes in office—to a renewal of his connection +with Mr. Canning, and not improbably to a union +between him and the Whigs in power under the +Prince Regent. He had more genius than prudence, +more spirit than principle, and manifestly despised +his colleagues as much as they dreaded him. Unlike +most English politicians, he was rather a +statesman than a man of business, and more capable +of doing extraordinary things well than conducting +ordinary transactions with safety or propriety.</p> + +<p>He was reported to have ingratiated himself during +the summer with the Prince Regent, and with the +exception of an unqualified zeal in the prosecution of +the Spanish war, the natural growth of his early interest +in that contest, and of his connection with Lord +Wellington, his opinions on public questions seemed +to smooth the way to a coalition with those to whom +His Royal Highness was expected to entrust the +management of his affairs.⁠<a id="FNanchor_117" href="#Footnote_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> When, however, he +tendered his resignation early in 1812, he discovered +that an inclination to Whigs or to liberal policy was +no strong recommendation to the Prince Regent. He +learnt with yet more chagrin that his brother would +not hazard a rupture with the Ministers, even in support +of the remonstrances which he (Lord Wellesley) +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>had made, if not at his instigation, at least on his +behalf, for further succours and supplies. I know +not whether to blame or to commend him. A commander +on service is not lightly to lend himself to +party in a struggle for power at home. He may, nay, +he must, prefer serving under those to whom he is +chiefly bound by affection and gratitude and those +with whom he cordially agrees and co-operates; but +he must not make a national cause subservient to +their views of ambition at home, unless he thinks +their possession of power not only useful, but indispensably +necessary, to its maintenance and its success.</p> + +<p>Lord Wellington, therefore, on the turn of fortune +in Spain, did right not to sacrifice his own station +and growing fame and the national interest to the +object of securing or replacing his brother in power, +even though that brother should have forfeited it by +his zealous exertions to minister to his glory abroad. +Who shall blame him for not hesitating between such +important public considerations and his own private +affections? Possibly, however, Lord Wellesley, and +certainly his adherents, were hurt that so little was +done by Lord Wellington to avert the necessity of +so painful an option. They significantly remarked that +the sacrifice was made with so very good a grace, +as not only to answer the calls of duty, but to +suppress every symptom of pain or reluctance in +performing it. Lord Wellesley, to whose partiality +and affection his brother had been indebted for his +promotion, fame, and success, would have acquired, +said his friends, if placed in a similar predicament, the +same praise of heroic duty, but it would have cost +him much more to obtain it. Whether such insinuations +were well founded or not, it is certain that after +that period a coolness between the brothers ensued, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>and it must be acknowledged that subsequent transactions +will not exonerate Lord Wellington of the +charges of indifference or want of feeling by proving +such defects to be quite foreign to his character.</p> + +<p>Lord Wellesley treated Mr. Perceval and the other +Ministers with manifest scorn and contempt. In +a subsequent altercation between him and Lord +Harrowby in the House of Lords, respecting the +differences in Cabinet while he remained among them, +his superiority in wit, spirit, vigour, and eloquence +was most decisive. Yet when, on Lord Boringdon’s +motion for an efficient Administration, he was expected +to vindicate his own motives and conduct, and to +explain at large his views of domestic and foreign +policy, though he had come down with mighty +ostentation, dressed and decorated, as his usage was, +for the delivery of a great speech, his nerves failed +him entirely, and he allowed the question to go to +a division without uttering one word. So universal +was the persuasion that he was, on that day, to outdo +himself, and so positive was the expectation of his +speaking, that some one, on the Chancellor’s return +from the House, asked, without the ceremony of a +previous inquiry whether he had spoken or not, +“What was the style of Lord Wellesley’s speech?” +“I think in that of Tacitus,” replied Lord Eldon.</p> + +<p>He was, indeed, a most <i>uncertain</i> speaker in every +sense of the word. After studiously announcing his +intentions of speaking, and repeating his views and +arguments and illustrations in private to friend and +to foe, he not unfrequently sat silent. When he did +rise, it was often doubtful which side he would +espouse, what topics he would select, and whether +he would treat them with ability and eloquence or +lapse into frothy, trite, and unmeaning declamation, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>or entangle himself in some metaphysical disquisition +which he was quite unequal to unravel or expound. +His allusions were more classical than apposite, and +his language that of a polite scholar even to a fault. +His wit was elaborate and far-fetched, but well and +neatly executed. He was sometimes illogical, and I +have known him pompous, empty, and unsatisfactory. +Yet there was a smack, a fancy of greatness in all +he did: and though in his speeches, his manners, +and his actions he was very open to ridicule, those +who smiled and even laughed could not despise him.</p> + +<p>He had tendered his resignation in January; it +was not accepted till March.⁠<a id="FNanchor_118" href="#Footnote_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> While he was yet +nominally in office, and before the restrictions on +the Regency had expired, Mr. Perceval proposed the +Civil List and the regulation of the Household. The +arrangement was purposely complicated and infinitely +more expensive to the country than the circumstances +justified, or than either the party who proposed or +the party who acquiesced in could sincerely approve. +Mr. Tierney had the honesty to say so, and perhaps +had the shrewdness even then to perceive what it +now seems strange should have escaped the observation +of any man, that the sums granted for the +Privy Purse and Household were sufficient, not only +to provide for the wants, but to purchase the favour +of the Prince Regent. Some semblance, however, of +consistency and honour was to be preserved. The +Prince Regent was in a manner pledged, on the +expiration of the restrictions, to make some overture +to the Whigs. He was too well acquainted +with the characters of the men with whom he had +to deal, and indeed too great an adept in that sort +of game, not to devise in a moment a method of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>making the offer, which secured its rejection. He +wrote the following letter to the Duke of York.⁠<a id="FNanchor_119" href="#Footnote_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a>⁠...</p> + +<p>Lord Grey and Lord Grenville requested twenty-four +hours to consult their friends, and to consider of +the answer to the overture contained in the letter +above recited from the Prince Regent to the Duke +of York. Lord Lansdowne, Lord Lauderdale, Mr. +Ponsonby, and myself met them at Mr. Thomas +Grenville’s, when they produced a written paper, +the composition of Lord Grenville, which they +proposed to transmit to the Duke of York. The +overture contained in the letter to the Duke of York +was, as the reader must have perceived, in substance, +nothing more than an invitation to Lord Grey and +Lord Grenville and some others recommended by +them, to accept office with an Administration whose +measures and system they had uniformly and strenuously +opposed, and whose persons and behaviour +the Prince Regent himself, only a year before, had +indecently reviled in every company and affected to +resent in a manner full as warm as any indignity, +purely political, could justify.</p> + +<p>The proposed answer was very decisive, but +unnecessarily long. It was unadvisedly explicit on +every topic which had been artfully introduced +into the Prince Regent’s letter; in short, it was +an elaborate manifesto of the two Lords on all +political questions on which they differed with +Ministers. It contained a sort of creed on the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>Spanish war, the Orders in Council, the paper system, +and the Roman Catholic claims, to which none but +their own friends, and not all of them, could implicitly +have subscribed. The Prince Regent’s letter was no +doubt framed with a design of provoking the two +Lords to recapitulate opinions which the writer, +whoever he was, thought to be impracticable and +knew to be unpopular.</p> + +<p>The prospect of their accession to power had been +contemplated with some apprehension by those who +felt zealous in the cause and gratified by the glories of +the Spanish war. Such persons had been confirmed +in their apprehensions, by the very injudicious language +of some of Lord Grenville’s connections, as well +as by enemies⁠<a id="FNanchor_120" href="#Footnote_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> who studiously repeated such language +and industriously circulated the report that the first +consequence of their elevation to power would be the +recall of every British soldier from the Peninsula. +The notion of resuming cash payments was, at that +time, to the full as unpopular. Speculators, who +profited by a system of improvident dishonesty and +lavish expenditure, affected to regard the principles of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span>the Bullion Committee⁠<a id="FNanchor_121" href="#Footnote_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> as purely chimerical, and the +statesmen who espoused them as sacrificing the +national prosperity to the theories of political +economists.</p> + +<p>In their first sketch of an answer the two Lords +fell into the snare prepared for them. They avowed +all these opinions so unpalatable to the public, and +they enforced them in an authoritative tone little +calculated to soothe or to convince. In the views +insinuated about the Spanish alliance and war, I for +one could not have concurred. The unqualified +declaration of their principles respecting both our +currency and trade, though perfectly sound, seemed +highly unreasonable; and the authoritative tone in +which they announced their views would have exposed +them to the censure of exacting an implicit +compliance with all their opinions from the Court +and the public, at a time when both were avowedly +desirous of softening down differences, for the purpose +of forming what is called a strong, but often proves +to be a very weak, Administration. Lord Lansdowne, +with his usual judgment, perceived the impolicy of +so copious a manifesto, and, with more than his usual +energy, urged the necessity of shortening the letter +and confining the grounds of refusal to that which +formed the most obvious and insurmountable bar to +a coalition between Mr. Perceval and the Whigs, <i>viz.</i>, +their opposite views of the Roman Catholic question +and the system of government in Ireland. Accordingly +the following answer was drawn up and afterwards +delivered by Lords Grey and Grenville to the Duke +of York....⁠<a id="FNanchor_122" href="#Footnote_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a>⁠</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span></p> + +<p>The Duke of York took minutes of the conversation +which occurred on the two Lords delivering +this answer in writing to him. He very candidly +submitted those minutes to their inspection, and they +made such explanations and comments on the Duke’s +report of what they said, as precluded the possibility +of a misunderstanding. The Duke contended that +the letter was not an overture to them to form a part +of Mr. Perceval’s Administration, or even to coalesce +with that gentleman as Minister, but to concur in +forming a new Administration on a broad basis; and +he urged, as a proof of his view of the subject, that +he had been selected to convey the communication, +in order that the person so employed might not be +designated as the head of the new Administration. +These distinctions, immaterial in themselves, were +set aside by Lord Grey observing that the answer +given was to the written statement which they had +seen, and if it should appear to the Prince Regent +that they had misunderstood the meaning of that +paper, he might rectify the mistake. In the meanwhile +they adhered to their answer. Here ended +the negotiation. Lord Castlereagh was in a few +days appointed Secretary of State in the place of +Lord Wellesley.⁠<a id="FNanchor_123" href="#Footnote_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>The answer of Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, +and the tone and temper in which it was conveyed, +were very generally approved of. Many no doubt +rejoiced at so open a breach between them and +the Prince Regent, and none probably more than +His Royal Highness himself. Yet friend and foe, +Whig and Tory, directly or indirectly acknowledged +that to such an overture no other answer could have +been given with honour. The form was yet more +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>unobjectionable. The language, however, of the +party, and possibly of some of the leaders, was not +perhaps equally irreproachable and certainly not +equally judicious. In conversations, speeches, and +publications there was much personal asperity and +some indecorous satire and invective. Those who +had early opportunities of studying the character of +the Prince should have known that personal slights +were more deeply felt and more certainly resented +by him than real indignities, injuries, or ill-usage.</p> + +<p>His more recent acquaintances had sagacity enough +to discover that secret very soon, and dexterity +enough to act upon it. They bore tales of much +that was said, and of more that was never said, to +his disparagement by the principal characters in +Opposition. Studiously directing his attention to +the numberless lampoons that appeared, they affixed +to each whatever name it was most their interest +to render obnoxious. I knew more than one instance +of persons passing at Carlton House for the authors +or instigators of the very epigrams or paragraphs +they had deprecated, lamented, and condemned. Lord +Grey unquestionably felt great indignation. Ever +open, artless, and impetuous, he could not stop to +conceal it. The coarse and unmannerly phrases +imputed to him were, indeed, never uttered; but his +unguarded exposure of the Prince Regent’s duplicity +in all companies, and his severe animadversion in +the House of Lords on the defection of Lord +Cholmondeley and the few insignificant sycophants +who followed him, sank deep in the Royal mind. +The new Court was henceforward <i>to the full as intent +as the old one</i> on excluding the Whigs from all +office, favour, or power.</p> + +<p>Although the offences of Lord Grey, owing to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>high station he filled in the eyes of men, were more +important, and, owing to early personal jealousies +between him and the Prince of Wales, were less easily +pardoned than those of others, such indiscretions were +not confined to him. We all incurred the guilt, if not +the odium, of charging His Royal Highness with +ingratitude and perfidy. We all encouraged every +species of satire against him and his mistress. He +retorted in language to the full as unmeasured, and in +assertions much more unfounded. He drove Lord +Lauderdale to the necessity, first, of remonstrating +with him, and afterwards, of absenting himself, by +bursting forth suddenly, intemperately, and violently +against his political friends—a scene rendered memorable +by having excited the tears of the young Princess +Charlotte, who was present, and yet more so by those +tears becoming the subject of Lord Byron’s verse.⁠<a id="FNanchor_124" href="#Footnote_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>That extraordinary young man had satirised and +ridiculed me, in common with many others, in his +<i>English Bards and Scotch Reviewers</i>, under a very +erroneous impression that I had written or caused to +be written the criticism on his first publication in +the <i>Edinburgh Review</i>⁠<a id="FNanchor_125" href="#Footnote_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a>⁠; whereas it was from that +printed <i>Review</i> that I first learnt the existence of +the poems, or indeed of the author, whose title I +had thought was extinct. My friend Mr. Rogers +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span>knew this circumstance; he asked me if I objected +to his repeating it to Lord Byron. I answered: +“Far from it, provided he repeated it as he had +heard it from me, a fact related in accidental conversation, +and not a message or explanation sent +from me to Lord Byron.” Mr. Rogers soon afterwards +informed me that Lord Byron wished to speak +in Parliament against the Frame-breaking Bill, and +that he was anxious to learn the forms and to consult +some peer in Opposition. Mr. Rogers asked me if I +would allow him to introduce me to the young poet. +I willingly and warmly acquiesced, gave him what +assistance I could, and received from him a very +handsome and well-written letter. His speech was +full of fancy, wit, and invective, but not exempt +from affectation nor well reasoned, nor at all suited +to our common notions of Parliamentary eloquence. +His fastidious and artificial taste and his over-irritable +temper would, I think, have prevented him from ever +excelling in Parliament.</p> + +<p>This accidental intercourse about his first speech +led to our acquaintance and even friendly familiarity, +which was never interrupted. I have mentioned it because +everything relating to him excites curiosity; and +the uniformly courteous, I might almost say grateful, +manner in which he acknowledged and returned my +trifling services, amounting to little more than ordinary +civility, shows a sensibility and kindness for imaginary +favours in one who was unhappily too often suspected, +with reason, of an extreme susceptibility to slight, and +even imaginary, injuries. His speech and his verses +on Princess Charlotte’s tears fixed his politics, and +he was⁠<a id="FNanchor_126" href="#Footnote_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a> upon system invariably attached to the party +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>and principles of the Whigs. Mr. Rogers himself, +on the unexpected conduct of the Prince Regent, +put one of the many witty epigrams he is in the +habit of uttering into verse, and the lines found their +way into the newspapers. Another poet, Mr. Moore, +with more party zeal and Irish humour than worldly +prudence, parodied the Prince Regent’s letter to the +Duke of York. His friend, Lord Moira, approved of +the conduct of Lord Grey and Lord Grenville in +declining the overture; he even drew out an answer, +which he wished them to adopt and communicated +to me for that purpose. It required, indeed, some +further explanation; but it insisted, even in a more +authoritative tone than the paper they sent, on the +impossibility of their <i>entering into the Cabinet</i> of a +Ministry whose measures they had uniformly <i>reprobated</i>.</p> + +<p>The two Irish brothers Lord Donoughmore and +Lord Hutchinson kept no measures with the Court. +The Regent was so exasperated at their language, +that he affected to lament that he was not a private +man and able to call one of them at least to account +for a personal affront. Perhaps a more accurate +knowledge of that family’s proficiency in pistols might, +on reflection, reconcile His Royal Highness to the +privations of his exalted station.</p> + +<p>The unfortunate breach between the Roman Catholics +of Ireland and their able supporter Lord Grenville, +effected by the machinations of Dr. Milner,⁠<a id="FNanchor_127" href="#Footnote_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> who had +shamelessly disavowed him, had rendered it necessary +to place the petitions of that body in other hands. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>Lord Grey, I believed, had declined them some time +before; and when I was sounded on the subject I +told them that, if offered, I should not refuse them; +but that for my sake, and still more for their own, I +wished them to deliver their petitions to some one +less connected with Lord Grenville and more disposed +to approve of, as well as not to combat, their objections +to the veto⁠<a id="FNanchor_128" href="#Footnote_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> and to the restrictions, which topic would +not improbably be introduced into the debate.</p> + +<p>They pitched on Lord Donoughmore, the representative +of that Protestant family which had first and +most uniformly espoused their cause, and one who at +the time of the Union and at the formation of Lord +Fitzwilliam’s Administration had been, as I believe, +the channel of communication between them and the +Government. He accepted the commission of pleading +their cause in Parliament with cheerfulness, and he +executed it with considerable ability. If in judgment +there was some deficiency, there was an abundant +supply of that which Irishmen and Roman Catholics +value more—spirit and even violence. His personalities +to the Regent and to Lady Hertford were +somewhat too coarse for our English palates; but +his excuse of so great a breach of decorum was this. +He had been twice the channel to convey direct +or implicit promises which had been violated, and +to excite expectations which had been disappointed. +Had he submitted a third time, without open and +unqualified hostility to those who had deceived him, +he thought his own honour might be questioned by +his countrymen. He preferred deserving the reproach +of rudeness and indelicacy to incurring even the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span>suspicion of duplicity and treachery. Whatever be +the value of such an apology, the Irish Catholics +so far justified his speculations that they warmly +applauded his vehemence and personality, and in +<i>an evil hour for themselves</i> embodied the most offensive +passages of his speech into resolutions at their various +meetings throughout Ireland. Some years afterwards +their writers in Ireland most falsely attributed this +conduct to the instigation of their Parliamentary +friends in England. I believe that neither Lord +Grey, Lord Grenville, Lord Lansdowne, myself, Mr. +Ponsonby, Mr. Grattan, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Canning, +nor any one active Member of Parliament, had the +slightest intimation of their intention to propose such +intemperate resolutions; I am sure that we one and +all lamented and condemned them when adopted.</p> + +<p>Even those among us who were most indignant at +the conduct of the Prince Regent felt that it was +not good policy in the Roman Catholics to express +their sense of it too warmly, much less in the coarse, +revolting, and scurrilously personal libel. In the +Commons Mr. Grattan was more temperate as well +as more eloquent, but not much more successful. +The majorities of both Houses, though not very great, +and weakened by the loss of Lord Wellesley and +his few adherents, showed that in the opinion of +politicians the Prince Regent had joined the Anti-Catholic +faction, or that Mr. Perceval had contrived +to fix himself permanently in power. He seemed, +indeed, determined to exact a yet stronger proof of +the attachment of his followers, by insisting on their +adherence to the Orders in Council,⁠<a id="FNanchor_129" href="#Footnote_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a> which were +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>involving us in hostilities with North America, ruining +our commerce, and impoverishing our manufacturers +in a way that excited universal distress and clamour, +and threatened to produce defalcation in our revenue +and insurrection in the country.</p> + +<p>But this infatuated course of policy was suddenly +arrested by one of those unforeseen events which, +springing from small, private, and unconnected causes, +have, in their consequences, the greatest effect on the +fate of nations and [the] happiness of mankind. A madman +of the name of Bellingham had been, or thought +he had been, aggrieved by some of our public agents +abroad. He was full of resentment at the supposed +injury, and yet more at the neglect with which his +importunate remonstrances had been treated by +persons in power and their respective offices in +England. If his own account is to be trusted, he +devoted some person in high rank and office as an +atonement for his wrongs; but was nearly indifferent +on whom answering that description his vengeance +might fall. He pitched on Mr. Perceval the Prime +Minister, or Lord Granville Leveson,⁠<a id="FNanchor_130" href="#Footnote_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a> who was +Ambassador in Russia at the time certain claims in +indemnification of losses sustained by him at Archangel +had been presented without effect to the Russian +and English Governments, without any positive +personal enmity to either of those individuals. He +determined, however, to sacrifice the first of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>two who should come within his reach. Accordingly, +with this view, he took his stand on May 11, 1812, +in the lobby of the House of Commons, of which +both were members, with two small loaded pistols +in his pocket; he sat patiently near the door till Mr. +Perceval made his appearance, and then, approaching +him without gesticulation or violence, shot him through +the heart. His victim staggered and fell, exclaiming, +“I am murdered,” or, “The villain has murdered me,” +or words to that effect, and never spoke more.</p> + +<p>The whole scene and many of the circumstances +recalled the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham +by Felton, and in nothing did it resemble it more +than in the cool composure of the assassin, who, I +think, resumed his seat, but certainly made no effort +to escape. On making inquiry after “the villain,” +when the agitation had subsided, he surrendered +himself without a struggle. On the spot, on the +first examination, and on the trial, he avowed the +deed; and though he called himself an unfortunate +man, he seemed neither to repent nor to feel much +anxiety to vindicate his motives or to avoid the consequences +of his crime.</p> + +<p>I was talking to Lord Spencer in the House of +Lords, when we heard either the report of pistols +or the scream of horror which the perpetration of +the crime had excited. I recollect exclaiming, +“What is that?” and being told, after a short +interval, that it was a madman who thought himself +the Duke of Norfolk and frequently molested the +Courts of Justice with his pretensions. It was not +long, however, before a figure, pale and breathless, +rushed into the House, and, leaning on the bar, repeated +twice or thrice, “He is murdered; I saw him dead.” +“Who?” “Where are we to go to assist?” was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>reiterated from many present; and some minutes, I +think, elapsed before we actually learnt that it was +Mr. Perceval who was killed. The consternation +was great; the appearance of most present ghastly. +I remember I wondered to myself whether my face +was as much altered as those of the persons around +me—a thought which proves (as what indeed does +not?) the accuracy and truth of the observation of +Shakespeare on our feelings.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">is an exclamation of one of his characters, on hearing +in a large company of the violent death of the Duke +of Clarence.⁠<a id="FNanchor_131" href="#Footnote_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>The peers were coming in very fast, and I think +we took some precautions to inform Lord Arden⁠<a id="FNanchor_132" href="#Footnote_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> +of the event. All expressed horror; some few seemed +to ponder on the changes likely to ensue; and more +were manifestly apprehensive that the crime was +connected with extensive designs, and the result of +conspiracies which the state of the country rendered +by no means improbable. The House of Commons +had adjourned. The House of Lords has been censured +and ridiculed for not doing so too; perhaps it +was the best course. Yet to quit the spot on the report +of a crime committed within the precincts of Parliament, +without inquiry into the fact or comment upon +it, seemed to many peers, and among them, I own, +to me, an unnatural and undignified and almost a +dastardly proceeding. We had, therefore, the fact +deposed to at the bar; but when we had resolved +to ground some proceeding thereupon, it must be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>acknowledged that we found some difficulty in devising +any in form and substance unobjectionable. We +passed an address unanimously to the Prince Regent, +praying him little more than to enforce the laws. +Lord Radnor wrote and Lord Chancellor moved it. +Most of the peers present accompanied it to Carlton +House. It is to be observed that the Lords were not +aware of the character and condition of the assassin. +They who blame our proceeding should reflect what +would have been their own impression, and what the +inferences in the public, had the murder turned out +to be a part of any extensive design, and the two +Houses, on the perpetration of it, had dispersed themselves, +without daring to express their sense of the +outrage or a determination to investigate the causes +of it.</p> + +<p>The Old Bailey Sessions were sitting, and the assassin +was brought to immediate trial. He applied for delay +to bring witnesses from a distance in proof of his +insanity. He was denied that indulgence, condemned +on the 15th, and executed on May 18, within one +week of the perpetration of the murder. Such hurry +was by many thought harsh and illegal, and by more +injudicious and improper. Insanity, or at least insanity +of a certain sort, by the law of England exempts +the accused from a verdict of guilty. The wisdom +of such mercy may reasonably be questioned; but +whatever the law wisely or unwisely admits to be +a vindication of the act, the accused should be allowed +full opportunity of proving in his defence. It was, +therefore, shrewdly suspected that there was more +dread of a Prime Minister’s murderer escaping than +reverence for the forms of law in the refusal to postpone +the trial. Whether from this consideration, from +the distress of the times, from the acrimonious spirit +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>of Mr. Perceval’s politics, or from that composed +courage in the sufferer, which in spite of reason +seldom fails to conciliate favour even for a criminal, +certain it is, that among the crowds who thronged +to the execution of Bellingham more commiseration +was shown for the culprit than for his victim. Women +were struck with his fine and manly person. Strange +tales of his amorous complexion, whispered abroad, +did not weaken that favourable impression. They +were currently repeated at this day,⁠<a id="FNanchor_133" href="#Footnote_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a> and I am sorry +to acknowledge that at the distance of some years +the name of Bellingham was far from unpopular in +London.</p> + +<p>In truth, the death of Mr. Perceval was hailed as +a deliverance in various parts of the country. Some +classes, whose habits should have taught them to +reject any consolation drawn from the commission +of a horrible crime and should also have bespoken +more sympathy for so religious a man, could hardly +conceal their delight at the prospect of the removal +of those worldly evils under which they were labouring. +One of the leading manufacturers of Birmingham, +a strict Dissenter, who had come up to London with +petitions against the Orders in Council, lamented to me, +with a demure countenance and a subdued voice, the +wickedness of the times on which he had been cast, +where, he said, as the coaches arrived in various parts +of the kingdom, the intelligence of the murder of a +fellow creature had been received with more exultation +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span>than horror, and even in some places greeted with +savage shouts of un-Christian joy. “It is indeed disgusting; +and yet,” added he, with an arch, puritanical +smile, “it proves the sad condition of the poor manufacturers, +and it cannot be denied that, in the present +critical state of the question on the Orders in Council, +the finger of a benevolent Providence is visible in +this horrible event.”</p> + +<p>The result, however, so confidently anticipated, would +hardly have ensued had the vigilance and perseverance +of Mr. Brougham been relaxed. He braved the censure +of enemies and shocked the more timid and more +gentle of his friends, by resolutely insisting, without +regard to the feelings of individuals or the convenience +of the Government, on the immediate relinquishment +of the Orders in Council, before Mr. Perceval was +cold in his grave or the arrangements for a new +Ministry in any forwardness at Court. To that wise +and firm, but at the same time somewhat odious +conduct, the country is indebted for a revision of a +system, unjust to other nations and ruinous to itself. +Mr. Perceval had too much spirit to be intimidated, +and too much bigotry to be convinced, by the clamour +or the sufferings of the people. Had he lived, he +would, no doubt, have persisted, at the peril of his +own power, as well as of the prosperity of the kingdom, +in the injudicious and violent measures he had from +zeal and ignorance so hastily adopted.⁠<a id="FNanchor_134" href="#Footnote_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>He was a man of principle, integrity, and courage; +and though a bitter persecutor of such political and +religious principles as he without much painful inquiry +or dispassionate reflection disapproved, he was indulgent +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>to his friends and liberal of his money. In +business he was diligent, attentive, and distinct. It is +true that even the eminent post he reached never +enabled him to soar to the higher regions of eloquence; +but in debate he was acute, judicious, and, above all, +intrepid and ready. “He is not,” said Mr. Grattan, “a +ship-of-the-line, but he carries many guns, is tight +built, and is out in all weathers.” He had, indeed, +the length, but was said not to have the learning, +belonging to his profession. Prolixity was his great +fault as a speaker; propensity to retaliation and +attack his chief error as a Minister in Parliament. +His virtues and his vices rendered him the most +mischievous and dangerous man who had guided +our councils for a century. Nothing but a dread +that my words may be distorted into an attempt +to palliate an atrocious crime makes me hesitate +in pronouncing his death (as in my conscience +I think it) a very fortunate event for the glory, +happiness, and independence of my country. More +changes were expected from it than actually took +place.</p> + +<p>In returning from the House of Lords I met Lord +Grey, and took that early opportunity of expressing +to him my sense of the importance of coming to +an understanding with Lord Moira, Lord Wellesley, +and Mr. Canning, before the Prince Regent had sent +either to them or to us, and while we could negotiate +a junction on the footing of perfect equality without +the advantage on either side which an ostensible +preference given by the Court would confer. He was +by no means averse to a junction with any or all +of them on honourable principles. He had no objection +to speak to Lord Moira; but he doubted whether +that was a proper moment for any negotiation with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>Mr. Canning, to whom I saw he retained much repugnance. +He was yet more decidedly averse to +making the first overture to him or to Lord Wellesley, +from a notion of dignity to which I deferred, but +which appeared to me to be mistaken and misplaced. +He enjoined me to mention my notions to no one, +and I obeyed him. Is it judging by the event, to +attribute our subsequent exclusion from office to the +want of such early understanding with the other +public men then unemployed? Had we caught up +and harnessed beforehand all the Ministers at grass, +the Prince Regent could hardly have ventured in +any conveyance but such as we had to offer him. +I am, indeed, satisfied that <i>his</i> chief object throughout +was to prevent the admission of the Whigs to office. +But if on applying to Lord Wellesley or Lord Moira, +he had found those two noblemen in actual concert +with the Whigs and bound in honour and inclined +from interest and principle to act with them, he could +scarcely have framed a proposal which would not have +led either to a joint Administration, or to a union of +many separate powers in an Opposition too formidable +for the rump of Mr. Perceval’s Cabinet to encounter.</p> + +<p>The Prince Regent began by directing Lord Liverpool +to communicate with Lord Wellesley and +Mr. Canning on the means of strengthening the +existing Administration, by associating to it persons +who agreed most nearly and generally in the principles +on which it had been conducted; but though he +disclaimed all principles of exclusion, he authorised +no proposal to persons connected with Opposition. +This endeavour failed.⁠<a id="FNanchor_135" href="#Footnote_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a> Mr. Canning, who waived +all personal objections to Lord Castlereagh as Lord +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>Castlereagh had also done to him, thought, however, +that his personal and public character would incur +a loss and the Government derive no strength, from +his accession to a Ministry which resisted all consideration +of the Catholic question after he had +declared himself anxious to press that measure on +Parliament and the public.</p> + +<p>Lord Wellesley yet more pointedly declined any +association with the Ministry, while their opinions +on the laws affecting Roman Catholics remained +unchanged. He apprehended too great a difference +of sentiment on the conduct and management of the +Peninsular war subsisted between him and Mr. +Perceval’s colleagues, to render any renewal of connection +with them in office advantageous to the public +or acceptable to himself. He suggested at the end of +his letter the propriety, necessity, and practicability +of the admission of some of the Whigs into office; +manifestly implying that the want of authority on +that head was one of his objections to the commission +of Lord Liverpool from the Prince Regent.⁠<a id="FNanchor_136" href="#Footnote_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Lord Wellesley was on this, and throughout the correspondence +that ensued, more conciliatory to the Whigs +than Mr. Canning. He was evidently more disposed +to act with a party with whom he had never been +connected, than with those from whom he had recently +separated with some avowed, and more concealed, +asperity and contempt. These feelings of animosity +were considerably inflamed by the polemical tone he +assumed in his correspondence, and yet more by the +indecent haste with which he published his letters +and answers. Lord Liverpool assured me that he +read the letter to him of May 21, printed in the +newspaper called the <i>Times</i>, before he had received, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>or at least before he had broken the seal of, the +original. The scheme for strengthening the old +Ministry being thus defeated, the opinion that it could +not maintain itself grew more general.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart Wortley,⁠<a id="FNanchor_137" href="#Footnote_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> a friend of Mr. Canning, though +related to Lady Liverpool, moved the House of Commons +on May 21 to address the Regent to, “form +an efficient Administration.” Such motions, in substance +and intention interfering in the choice of +Ministers by the executive Government and always +offensive to a Court, have been often negatived, when +made by Whigs, as unconstitutional encroachments +on the prerogative. Small middle parties and detached +place-hunters, being factions who derive great +advantage from an unlimited and uncontrolled choice +of servants in the Crown, are almost invariably foremost +in resisting them. On this occasion, however, +the address to that purpose was moved by a Tory +country gentleman, and was supported by Mr. +Canning. The Whigs concurred with it, and it +was carried by a majority of four. Ministers were +compelled to tender their resignation, and the Prince +Regent constrained to make some demonstration of +an effort to supply their place.</p> + +<p>If I were to attempt to thread the labyrinth of his +intrigues and devices, my readers would be perplexed +with the intricacy and weary of the length of the +narrative. Some prominent facts are quite sufficient +to detect the nature of the design, which was, to +elude the wishes of the House of Commons, to +preserve as nearly as possible the Administration +then in power, to divide or to degrade any public +men who had contributed to discomfit Mr. Perceval’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>remaining colleagues, and to exclude all the Whigs, +but more especially Lord Grey, from all share of +power. To compass these ends, his first artifice was +to authorise Lord Wellesley <i>to ascertain the views and +dispositions of all parties with regard to certain principles, +previously to the formation of any plans of +Administration</i>, and <i>then</i> to lay before him a plan +for an Administration adapted to the crisis of affairs, +but <i>not directly to form any Ministry</i>.⁠<a id="FNanchor_138" href="#Footnote_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>The principles laid down by Lord Wellesley were,⁠<a id="FNanchor_139" href="#Footnote_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> +first, that the Roman Catholic disabilities should be +immediately considered with a view to a conciliatory +adjustment; secondly, that the Peninsular war should +be prosecuted with adequate vigour. He submitted +them himself to Lord Grey; and Mr. Canning offered +them at his suggestion to Lord Liverpool, because +his recent discussions with that Minister had produced +so much ill blood that the intervention of a third +person was deemed by Lord Wellesley to be more +judicious and acceptable. But Lord Liverpool, in +his own name and that of all his colleagues except +Lord Melville, drily declined the proposal of becoming +members of any Administration formed by +Lord Wellesley, and thought, after all that had passed +with his Lordship, that it was unnecessary to enter +into any discussion of the principles he had submitted +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>to them. Lord Melville answered in a separate +memorandum. He was not less peremptory in his +personal objections to Lord Wellesley, but to the +principles he had suggested he felt none.</p> + +<p>The answer of Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, +adopted after due deliberation with their friends, +Lords Lansdowne and Lauderdale, Messrs. Ponsonby, +Tierney, and myself, was in substance as follows: +an assurance of a disposition to give effect to the +late vote of the House of Commons by the abandonment +of every personal object; an unqualified promise +of supporting any proposal made by any Ministers +for the conciliatory adjustment of the Roman Catholic +claims, with a warm compliment to Lord Wellesley +for his powerful exertions in that cause; and a cautious +postponement of all opinion on the more or less +vigorous prosecution of the Peninsular war, as a +question not of principle but of policy, to be regulated +by temporary and fluctuating circumstances on which +out of office it was impossible for them to pronounce. +To this, however, was added an expression of doubt +how far any increase of expenditure was practicable.</p> + +<p>This paper, justly denominated by Mr. Ponsonby +a “safe” answer, and as justly considered by Lord +Wellesley as a favourable and conciliatory one, was +delivered to the Prince Regent on May 24. On +receiving it, and <i>before he had read it</i>, he exclaimed, +“<i>What! a refusal?</i>” After reading it, and on being +told by Lord Wellesley that it was satisfactory in +that stage of the business, he gave him no authority +to proceed, but professed to take time to consider of +it. He employed that time in devising arguments to +distort the answer into a refusal, in calumniating Lord +Grey, in attempts to detach Mr. Canning from Lord +Wellesley or to prevail on both to join the old +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>Ministry, and in alarming Lord Liverpool and the +Duke of York with the prospect of his rage at the +Whigs and his vexation at his embarrassments terminating +in madness. During this period of anger +and intrigue, in which he frequently saw Mr. Sheridan, +he urged the old Ministry to stand their ground and +brave the House of Commons; and he pressed Lord +Moira to form an Administration, without apprising +Lord Wellesley—whose commission, however, he +maintained, was only suspended and not concluded. +Lord Moira prudently declined; but when the circumstance +reached Lord Wellesley it confirmed the +suspicions he had begun to harbour of the Regent’s +insincerity, and furnished him with fresh motives for +exacting, when subsequently employed by His Royal +Highness, some more specific power and instructions +than he had hitherto obtained. Displeased at discovering +that the old Ministers, on the plea of retaining +<i>pro tempore</i> their offices, had long and frequent +audiences of the Prince Regent, he and Lord Moira +offered to hold the seals of office till some Administration +should be formed. That offer was not accepted.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="illus4" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><i>Charles, 2nd Earl Grey</i></p> + <p><i>T. Phillips, R.A. Pinx. 1812.</i> + <span class="spacer"><i>Emery Walker Ph. Sc.</i></span></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In the meanwhile Lord Moira extracted from Lord +Grey an explanation, or rather an accurate statement, +of what he had said in the House of Lords on the +disappointment of the Roman Catholics of Ireland, +with the friendly view of satisfying the Prince that +no personal affront to him had been offered or intended +on that occasion.</p> + +<p>The firmness of Lord Wellesley, the intervention +of Lord Moira, and the opinion of others, especially +the Duke of York and Lord Egremont⁠<a id="FNanchor_140" href="#Footnote_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a> (the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span>latter of whom avowed much political dislike to +the two Lords, yet concurred in representing the +services of both as essentially necessary to the +country), at length prevailed on His Royal Highness +with a bad grace to authorise Lord Wellesley to enter +on a negotiation not only with Lord Grenville, but +with Lord Grey, to whom he had chiefly taken an +exception. In yielding, however, to this advice, he +contrived to clog his offer with conditions, which he +had the sagacity to foresee that the prudence or the +high spirit of those with whom he negotiated would +instantly reject. He did not direct Lord Wellesley +to discuss measures and arrangements with the two +Lords, but he directed him to annex as a condition +and to stipulate that Lord Moira, Lord Erskine, and +Mr. Canning should be members of the Cabinet;⁠<a id="FNanchor_141" href="#Footnote_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a> and +that to a Ministry so constituted they should recommend +a certain number of members limited by +previous arrangement or order from His Royal +Highness.</p> + +<p>Lord Wellesley, in delivering this proposal, intimated +that Lord Melville should also be invited to +a seat in the new Cabinet; that the Great Seal should +be offered to Sir William Grant;⁠<a id="FNanchor_142" href="#Footnote_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> and that the Prince +Regent would be gratified at Lord Eldon, though +deprived of the Seal, being still retained in the Cabinet. +To this proposal a refusal was drawn up by Lord +Grenville and Lord Grey, and cordially approved +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span>of by all their leading friends in both Houses of +Parliament. The grounds of their objections were +strongly but respectfully stated to be a conviction +that the plan was formed on a principle of disunion, +that the proceeding was in itself novel and inconvenient, +and the tendency of it would be to establish in the +Cabinet itself a system of counteraction inconsistent +with the prosecution of any uniform or beneficial +course of policy.</p> + +<p>On June 3 Lord Wellesley reported the failure +of his negotiations, and recommended that some +further explanations should be given; but he was +informed by the Prince Regent that his powers had +now ceased, and his commission was withdrawn. +Lord Wellesley lost no time in informing the public, +through the House of Lords, that his commission had +been revoked; and in the course of his speech lamented +that, “personal animosities, dreadful personal animosities,” +had stood in the way of any advantageous +and amicable arrangement. This strong phrase was +applied by the public to the Prince Regent’s prejudices +against Lord Grey; but when both Lord +Moira and Lord Grenville acquitted Lord Wellesley +of having meant any imputation on the Prince, and +Lord Boringdon ascribed it, in Lord Wellesley’s +absence, very awkwardly to inadvertence, the spirited +little Marquis returned to the House, and, not satisfied +with disclaiming the false meaning annexed in his +words, declared explicitly that they studiously intended +to stigmatise, and did, in truth, accurately +describe, the feelings and conduct of the old Ministers +towards him. A warm altercation ensued, in which +Lord Wellesley expressed his scorn of his late +colleagues in language which, if they had not then +the wit to repel or confute, they afterwards showed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>they had the memory to retain and the disposition +not easily to forgive.⁠<a id="FNanchor_143" href="#Footnote_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> Lord Moira, satisfied that all +the above negotiations had failed from a misunderstanding, +was still desirous to rectify it. With that +view he sought opportunities of conversing, and wrote +one or two notes to Lords Grey and Grenville, who +civilly but distinctly declined pursuing the subject +by unauthorised discussions. He was then furnished +with full powers, and had an interview with the +two Lords at his house in St. James’s Place on +June 6, 1812.</p> + +<p>To that interview it must be acknowledged that +the two Lords went but ill prepared to bring matters +to an amicable issue, and with some inclination, from +a prospect of fresh and reviving embarrassments, to +seize any plausible pretence for declining the proffered +boon. Even had they been otherwise able to form +an Administration, they had, from delicacy or from +indolence, neglected to come to any agreement between +themselves on some of the most important points +connected with such arrangements. The Regent did +not conceal his personal dislike to Lord Grey. To +have selected him for the Treasury—an office which +he never held, and which would have brought him +more than any other into personal intercourse with +the Regent—would certainly have provoked the indignation +of the Court, and might, with some plausibility, +be construed into an insult on the feelings of +the Prince Regent. On the other hand, Lord Grenville +had no disposition to surrender his auditorship, and +our Parliamentary friends had still less to approve +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>of his retaining it with the Treasury.⁠<a id="FNanchor_144" href="#Footnote_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a> No third +plan had been devised. Lord Moira had not, like +Lord Wellesley, avowed a determination not to accept +the Treasury. There were, indeed, circumstances, +arising from the embarrassed state of his private +affairs and his too compliant temper, which would +have disqualified him for that office; but they were +in their nature not very easy to be urged to him, +and no plan not liable to inconvenience could be +suggested in lieu of one, which, but for the objections +alluded to, so obviously presented itself.</p> + +<p>These difficulties, together with Lord Grey’s distrust +of the Regent and Lord Grenville’s concealed, +but not unreasonable, discontent with our parliamentary +friends, indisposed both those Lords to any +amicable termination of the negotiation. When, therefore, +at the outset, Lord Moira refused to acquiesce +in any removal of the great officers of the Household, +or even to recognise the propriety of vesting any +power of removing them in the Cabinet, they peremptorily +declined accepting office with any such +restriction; though Lord Moira was at great pains +to assure them that the stipulation was entirely his +own, and did not come from the Prince Regent.</p> + +<p>The two Lords, no doubt, thought such a condition +a less indelicate and more plausible ground of rupture, +than others which they foresaw must arise in discussing +the detail of arrangements. Unquestionably, +as a ground of rejection, it had some advantages; it +covered weaknesses in their own party, it screened +them from the imputation of personal jealousies of +those with whom they were to act; but, on the other +hand, it did not expose the insincerity of the Court so +manifestly as further progress in the negotiation might +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span>have done, and, like all pretexts contrived to keep out +of sight the real motives of action, it rendered their +conduct somewhat unintelligible to the public. They +had, indeed, the satisfaction to find it approved by their +House of Commons friends, with the exception of Mr. +Whitbread, and by all their chief supporters in the +Lords without one dissentient voice. Lord Darlington,⁠<a id="FNanchor_145" href="#Footnote_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a> +who had originally joined the Whigs through the influence +of Carlton House, declared that had they +acted otherwise they would have lost his support. +Even Lord Erskine, who had endeavoured to render +them more compliant, joined our meeting of June 7 +at Lord Grenville’s, with an assurance that he would +contribute to form no middle or neutral Administration, +but “die in the political connection in which he had +hitherto lived.” To this gallant determination, the +conduct of Lord Moira, which afterwards reached my +ears, may possibly have contributed. He had a few +hours before informed Lord Erskine that in the +Administration he was then projecting he intended to +offer him the Presidentship, and not the Seals, which +he destined to Sir William Grant. With an equal +want of dexterity he had, about the same time, called +on Lord Eldon to apprise him, as an old private +friend, that he had no intention of offering him anything +in his new Administration.</p> + +<p>When Lord Wellesley had made some progress in +his negotiations with the Whig Lords, and when he +thought his project, though in its actual shape declined, +might be so modified as to lead to an accommodation, +the Prince Regent first suspended and then +cancelled his powers. When Lord Moira had entirely +failed in his negotiation and peremptorily rejected the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>principles on which alone the two Whig Lords would +enter upon treaty, His Royal Highness continued his +powers, and left him at liberty to form a Ministry of +which he was quite satisfied the two obnoxious Lords +would not be a part. Lord Moira was, indeed, sanguine. +He hoped to form a Ministry, even though the +Whigs refused to co-operate with him, without having +recourse to the late Ministers, whom he continued to +term “those fellows.” His first step was to offer Mr. +Canning a seat in the Cabinet and a share in the +arrangements for filling it. Mr. Canning, with certain +conditions and reserves, accepted the offer. Lord +Moira then commissioned Mr. Canning to persuade +Lord Liverpool (a prominent Member of the late +Cabinet, and consequently one of the “fellows” described +by Lord Moira) to accede to his Ministry, +which was nevertheless to be formed on a principle +favourable to Catholic Emancipation.</p> + +<p>This proposal Lord Liverpool naturally declined. +He added that he had neither by word nor deed +counteracted the object of the veto of [the] House of +Commons for a new Ministry; and he somewhat +carefully qualified his opinion on the Catholic question +by observing that, although he should always vote +against the measure, he was not precluded from +supporting or even acting with a Ministry favourable +to some further concessions to the Roman Catholics +provided he, in other respects, concurred in their +general politics. Lord Moira was not discouraged +by Lord Liverpool’s refusal. He consulted Mr. +Sheridan, but he offered him no seat in the Cabinet; +he sent up express for Mr. Whitbread, entertained +some strange hopes of that gentleman taking office, +and gave him in return yet stranger, of Government +espousing the cause of Parliamentary reform.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span></p> + +<p>In the meanwhile he had authorised Mr. Canning +to find four Cabinet Ministers, including himself. He +spoke of the Duke of Norfolk and Lords Hardwicke, +Erskine, and Egremont as four others on whom +he (Lord Moira) could rely for active co-operation.⁠<a id="FNanchor_146" href="#Footnote_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a> +Few hours elapsed before Mr. Canning learnt that +three of the above-mentioned Lords had declined +every offer; and that Lord Egremont had never been +consulted by Lord Moira, but only quoted by the +Prince Regent as a man whose reluctance to take +office he could, in case of great emergency, overrule. +After sundry other meetings, which seemed devised +for no practical purpose whatever, Lord Moira presented +at Carlton House the meagre list of names +suggested rather than procured by Mr. Canning.⁠<a id="FNanchor_147" href="#Footnote_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a> +The Prince Regent, glancing his eye carelessly over +them, exclaimed: “You see, my dear Moira, they +are chiefly Pittites; so the best way is to make up +with the present men, and you may settle it all with +Eldon and Liverpool, <i>who are waiting in the adjoining +room</i>.” Lord Moira took his leave. The matter was +as easily settled without him by the statesmen in +waiting, and in ten minutes Lord Liverpool kissed +hands as First Lord of the Treasury.</p> + +<p>It was understood, on this revival of the old +Ministry, that Government, as such, was to take no +part on the Catholic question: that a subject, which +had agitated the public for years, was to be considered +by those who directed the councils of the nation as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span>matter of indifference, on which they were not to +concert any line of conduct whatever. Persons in +office were to give their votes on that question, without +paying or exacting any deference or compliance +from their colleagues or subordinate officers. The +only accession to the Ministry consisted of Lord +Sidmouth and some few of his friends.⁠<a id="FNanchor_148" href="#Footnote_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Thus an address moved by a partisan of Mr. +Canning,⁠<a id="FNanchor_149" href="#Footnote_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a> and carried by the assistance of the Whigs, +for the purpose of forcing either or both into the +Cabinet, terminated by riveting those against whom +it was directed more securely than ever in power, and +procuring a share of it to the only faction in Parliament +which had concurred in resisting the motion. Lord +Liverpool assured me that he had been on the point of +setting off on a tour on the Wye, and that from the +period of the vote in [the] Commons to the failure of +Lord Moira’s negotiations with Lord Grey, he had +never directly nor indirectly obstructed the formation +of a new, or endeavoured to preserve, the old Administration. +I gave and give full credit to his assertion, +and, with the exception of Lord Eldon, I believe the +same might be said of most of his colleagues. Strong +disinclination to office in the two Whig Lords; perhaps +some little tincture of pride, mingled with +manners unconciliatory to strangers; the unsurmountable +barrier of opinion on the Catholic question +between many of the parties concerned; the secret +contrivances of Sheridan to make his power felt; the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>generous but somewhat unintelligible endeavour of +Lord Moira to screen the Regent from all odium; and +above all the private determination of the latter, +steadily pursued through many byways and winding +paths, to exclude the Whigs and Lord Grey in +particular—were the real causes which defeated the +formation of a new Ministry.</p> + +<p>The Regent, to mark his satisfaction with Lord +Moira, threw the Collar of St. George round his neck +and embraced him with tears; which, it is whispered, +His Royal Highness has the prerogative of shedding +at pleasure. Lord Moira was soon afterwards named +Governor-General of India.⁠<a id="FNanchor_150" href="#Footnote_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a> Though the tool of +others’ duplicity, and, in some measure, the dupe of his +own refinements in loyalty, his motives were friendly +to the Whigs, honest to the country, kind to the +Prince, and creditable to his own character on the +score of generosity but not of sagacity.</p> + +<p>I have been minute in relating the above transactions. +The secret motives of the parties were not +obvious to distant observers, and much misunderstood +at the time. The statements made in the House of +Lords never reached the public. Even if they had, +little would have been learnt from them. On one +occasion, Lord Grey having characterised Lord +Moira’s character as chivalrous, Moira understood +the phrase as a reflection on his understanding. +A debate ensued, which their respective, or rather +common, friends were better pleased to leave without +intelligible comment than to prolong at the hazard +of a quarrel. The negotiations expose the hostility +of the Prince Regent to the Whigs. They thereby +furnish a clue to his previous proceedings and an +explanation of his subsequent conduct. They discover +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span>the relations in which parties stood to one +another; and thereby exhibit a picture of the politics +of the time, and portraits of those most prominent +in them.</p> + +<p>Writers have often represented such negotiations +as little more or less than a barefaced scramble for +places, a contest of ambition in some few, and +of avarice in more. In those I have witnessed +there has been generally among leading statesmen +much less appetite for office, much less ambition +and avarice, than more respectable passions. In that +here related, not only Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, +but Lord Wellesley, Mr. Canning, and even Lord +Liverpool, seem throughout to have foregone the +prospect of place and power for a creditable and +sometimes an overstrained and fastidious regard to +character and consistency. Every one of them might +have obtained office by the sacrifice either of connections +or opinions. Possibly they were reprehensible +for some portion of pride, vanity, or resentment; +but nobody with an appearance of reason could +impute to any one of them, on this occasion, either +an inordinate desire of power or a grovelling passion +for place or emolument.</p> + +<p>The adulation bestowed on living Princes is disgusting; +the admiration for high station and rank, +common to most, and especially to professional men, +is adverse to the cause of truth and often ridiculous. +The habit of ascribing great designs and elevated +motives to all the actions of public characters, so +prevalent in courtly writers, is not only false and +foolish but mischievous. On the other hand, the +passion in which vulgar minds indulge of levelling +all public characters to their own standard, and +branding indiscriminately the leaders and followers +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>of all parties with the meanest selfishness, is equally +false, nearly as foolish, and much more mischievous. +Far from showing sagacity, it betrays an ignorance +of mankind as well as malignity of disposition. +Instead of deterring men from corruption by the exposure +of vice, it extinguishes one of the strongest +incentives to virtue, posthumous fame; and it reconciles +the world to the practice of iniquity by +representing it to be universal and unavoidable.</p> + +<p>The re-establishment of the old Ministry under +Lord Liverpool was a new epoch. I defer the relation +of the remaining events of the year and the Session +of 1812 to another chapter.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION_TO_BOOK_THE_THIRD">INTRODUCTION +TO BOOK THE THIRD</h2> + +</div> + +<p>It seemed unlikely that Lord Liverpool’s Administration, +composed almost entirely of men of +second-rate ability and slender talent, would have a +long existence when pitted against the full strength +of the Whig Party. The Cabinet was divided on +more than one of the leading questions of the day, +and though they could now rely with certainty on the +steady support of the Prince Regent, it seemed doubtful +whether they would long remain in power.</p> + +<p>Lord Holland states that the Government obtained +some popularity from the successes of the British +armies in the Peninsula; and certainly Wellington’s +victories were a forcible argument against the petitions +and motions in Parliament urging the re-establishment +of peace. That General decisively defeated Marmont +in July, 1812, at Salamanca, and advanced to Madrid. +Though the result of this step politically was most +opportune, he was unable to maintain his position +in the Spanish capital, and was forced to retire to +Portugal before the advance of the French armies. +Appointed Commander-in-Chief during the winter he +took the field with renewed vigour in 1813. The +French, dismayed at the news of their Emperor’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>disastrous retreat from Moscow, were concentrated +early in the spring, and commenced their retreat +behind the Ebro. Wellington hurried in pursuit, +defeated Joseph in a pitched battle at Vittoria, and +continued his advance with such success that he +entered France at the head of the Allied armies early +in October.</p> + +<p>Napoleon’s preparations for the campaign which +he determined should finally bring the whole +Continent under his sway were on a scale up to that +time unknown in the history of the world. It will +be remembered that Austria and Prussia were bound +by treaty to assist him, should he require their aid. +He forced them to fulfil their contract, and exacted +both men and money to assist him in the furtherance +of his schemes. The French armies crossed the +Russian frontiers in June, 1812. Alexander, who +had hurriedly made peace with the Porte, could +collect but half the number of troops required to +oppose the invader on even terms. Chance rather +than any settled plan of action governed the +fortunes of the Russian forces, which retreated +before the advance of Napoleon. So far everything +was successful; but the organisation of the +French transport had been found wanting early +in the campaign, and after the obstinately contested +battle of Borodino and the occupation of +Moscow, Napoleon realised that it would be an impossibility +to maintain his troops in winter near that +town. Orders for retreat were given; hunger and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>cold did their worst; every step was closely +dogged by the Russian armies; and of the 480,000 men +who entered Russia, little more than 20,000 returned.</p> + +<p>Intelligence of the French disasters was sent by +the Russians to General von York, who commanded +the Prussian troops under French orders at Riga. +After some hesitation, divining the inclinations of the +nation, he threw in his lot with the Russians, though +King Frederick William had up to that time given +no sign of any rupture with Napoleon. He was +encouraged, however, by Alexander’s successful pursuit +of the French, and declared war against France +in March, 1813. Napoleon, who had left the disordered +remnant of his army early in December, +made superhuman efforts in France to raise fresh +troops for service in Germany. His endeavours +were crowned with success; but the young levy, +unused to the exigencies of warfare, were in no +way to be compared to the veterans whose lives +he had ruthlessly sacrificed in the previous campaign. +The opening phases of the conflict were +favourable to the French, and had Napoleon seized +his opportunity after the battle of Bautzen, he could +have obtained peace on sufficiently advantageous +terms. But his ever-increasing ambition proved +his ruin, and a conviction that the Austrian Court +would remain faithful to him blinded him to the true +facts of the case. That nation was indeed wavering, +and Metternich, the guiding star of its foreign policy, +had already perceived that Napoleon was insatiable +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>in his demands, and that a fresh appeal to arms +was inevitable. Austria joined the Allies early in +August, and a series of battles took place, culminating +in the defeat of Napoleon at Leipsic and his retirement +to France. After the decisive result of this +campaign, conditions of peace were again offered by +the Allies, but no definite answer was received, and +the offer was withdrawn early in December.</p> + +<p>The invasion of France commenced early in +January, 1814, before Napoleon, who had lost the +services of a numerous body of men left in Germany +to garrison the fortresses, had gained time to collect +fresh troops. It is probable that he might still have +retained the throne of France, had he frankly accepted +the terms offered at Chatillon in February; +but Caulaincourt, the French plenipotentiary, was +afraid of signing a treaty which he knew would be +disavowed in the event of a French success, and the +opportunity was lost for ever.</p> + +<p>The Congress of Chatillon broke up without arriving +at any decided agreement as to the future settlement +of France. The Allies resolved to advance to Paris, +and they entered that city on March 31. Napoleon +made several skilful attempts to bar their progress; +but the disgust of the French nation at the continuance +of war, the treachery of his generals, and the hopeless +numerical inferiority of his forces, made any permanent +success an impossibility. A provisional Government +was proclaimed in Paris under Talleyrand, +Napoleon was dethroned and sent to Elba, and the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>Bourbons were recalled to the throne in the person +of Louis XVIII.</p> + +<p>Wellington, in the south, paused for some months +after reaching the frontiers of France in October, 1813, +till the senseless intrigues of King Ferdinand, whom +Napoleon had allowed to return to Spain, made the +British commander’s position somewhat insecure. He +resumed operations early in February. Soult was +unable to withstand his advance, and the continued +British successes closed with the hard-earned battle +of Toulouse—a useless sacrifice of 8,000 lives, for +Napoleon had abdicated six days before. Wellington, +who had accepted the post of British Ambassador +in Paris, reached that city early in May, in time to +be present at the conclusion of the definitive treaty.</p> + +<p>By this treaty, briefly, France retained what was +practically her frontier in 1792, without the exaction +of any indemnity; Switzerland became a republic; +Holland, Spain, Westphalia, Tuscany, and Piedmont +were restored to their respective sovereigns; while +other outstanding questions of importance were deferred +for discussion at a Congress to be held at +Vienna within two months.</p> + +<p>On the completion of their task, the Emperor of +Russia and the King of Prussia proceeded to England +to pay a visit of congratulation to the Prince Regent; +but the Emperor of Austria was obliged to return to +his own dominions. London was <i>en fête</i>, and great +crowds received the monarchs enthusiastically, and +everywhere accompanied their progress during their +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span>stay in the country. It was about this time that +rumours were heard of the approaching marriage of +the Princess Charlotte of Wales, then in her seventeenth +year, to the Prince of Orange, eldest son of the +newly made King of Holland. The probability of the +arrangement was universally believed; but the negotiations +were broken off, and she married within two +years Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg.</p> + +<p>War broke out between England and the United +States, in the summer of 1812, over the question of +the British Orders in Council. The struggle lasted +with varying success for two years and a half. By sea +the Americans more than held their own; but their +attempted invasions of Canada met with no success. +Peace was concluded by the Treaty of Ghent early +in 1815, much to the delight of both countries.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="BOOK_THE_THIRD">BOOK THE THIRD<br> +1812-1815</h2> + +<p class="center smaller">N.B.—Written in 1821, 1822, and subsequent years. Transcribed +in 1825.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Lord Liverpool’s new Administration, +huddled up from the cast rags and tatters +of the old, and consisting of pieces neither costly in +themselves nor well assorted to one another, seemed +of no very lasting texture or composition. On the +great question of domestic policy—commonly called +Catholic Emancipation, they could only avoid disunion +and dismemberment by renouncing all opinion +and action as a Government. The Prime Minister +in the Lords, as well as a majority in the Cabinet, +was hostile to the measure; yet the Leader in the +Commons, Lord Castlereagh, a man of judgment, +temper, and courage, but destitute of all eloquence, +wit, taste, or knowledge, and at that period alike +unpopular in England and Ireland, had avowed that +one great purpose of his public life was to carry it.</p> + +<p>Of the parliamentary statesmen not actually in the +ranks of their opponents, none had any strong predilections +and many had personal enmities to the +Ministers. Mr. Wilberforce⁠<a id="FNanchor_151" href="#Footnote_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a> and the party called +“Saints” could not view with very great complacency +an Administration formed almost exclusively of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>ancient and inveterate enemies of their favourite +measure “the Abolition.” If Mr. Canning was somewhat +less disposed than he had been to ridicule the +incapacity of Lord Liverpool, his resentment to Lord +Castlereagh for his Ministerial opposition and personal +hostility in 1809 had scarcely abated. Lord Wellesley +did not conceal his private aversion and public scorn +of his late colleagues; and even the Prince Regent +himself, though united cordially with them in hatred +of the Whigs, had no strong ties of personal attachment +or political gratitude to cement his connection +with them. A war with America was impending, and +the Orders in Council could not be maintained without +ruin to the country, and, on the other hand, could +hardly be abandoned without disgusting the only +warm supporters the Ministry had, <i>viz.</i>, the adherents +of Mr. Perceval. They relinquished them, however, +and to all appearance at the instance or from a dread +of Mr. Brougham.⁠<a id="FNanchor_152" href="#Footnote_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Such an acknowledgment of weakness seemed an +inauspicious commencement of an Administration. +From all these premises it was foreboded that the +Ministry would be inglorious and short-lived. But +though philosophy never would teach us to discard +all foresight, prudence, or calculation, she has been +often compelled to acknowledge that in political +affairs what is probable seldom happens. Time and +accident enabled this rickety Ministry to disappoint +the expectation of their opponents; and though +their adherents scarcely pretend to attribute their +success to any extraordinary merit in them, yet the +splendour of victories abroad and the undisturbed +possession of power at home, which have failed to +procure them contemporary applause even from the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span>vulgar much more any approbation from the wise, +will not improbably obtain for them the encomiums +and possibly the admiration of more remote historians +and posterity. It must be acknowledged that, with the +exception of Wellington in the field and Eldon on +the Bench, any reverence they inspire must be from a +distance⁠<a id="FNanchor_153" href="#Footnote_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a>⁠—from those who never transacted business +in their offices, never heard their harangues in +Parliament, nor approached their persons in private. +With all such, mediocrity is their characteristic.</p> + +<p>The perseverance of Mr. Brougham in exposing the +Orders in Council before any new Administration was +formed had made an impression both on the House +and the country. The Ministers, though with some +hesitation and much bad grace, began by announcing +an intention to rescind them. That resolution, or +rather concession, though too late to prevent a war +with America,⁠<a id="FNanchor_154" href="#Footnote_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> disarmed the Opposition at home on +the occurrence of that event, and satisfied the country +that the hostile disposition to the United States and +the narrow spirit of Mr. Perceval’s policy had died +with that Minister. The persuasion was strengthened +by his personal and political friend, Mr. Stephen,⁠<a id="FNanchor_155" href="#Footnote_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> +the real instigator of those impolitic measures, +withdrawing himself from public discussions.</p> + +<p>The Catholic question seemed, at first, to have gained +by the death of its chief Ministerial opponent and +the sort of interregnum which intervened. Mr. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>Canning, in June, moved a resolution to take it into +consideration in the ensuing Session, and the motion +was carried by 235 to 106. The main question had +been lost two months before by 300 to 215! Such +is the difference which a partial change of Ministry +can make in a House of Commons! In the Lords, +the alteration was not so sensible, for though Lord +Wellesley lost a similar question only by the trifling +majority of one, the numbers who voted for his motion +and those who supported that of Lord Donoughmore +on the preceding April differed only by 24.</p> + +<p>I presented two bills on the subject of <i>ex officio</i> +informations.⁠<a id="FNanchor_156" href="#Footnote_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a> They were both rejected on the second +reading, upon the opposition of Lord Chief Justice +Ellenborough and Lord Chancellor Eldon. The +object of one of them I have since had the good +fortune to obtain.⁠<a id="FNanchor_157" href="#Footnote_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a> The Attorney-General has it no +longer in his power to keep an <i>ex officio</i> information +hanging <i>in terrorem</i> over the head of an accused +person for an indefinite period. The other mischief +which I attempted to remove by these bills is, on +the contrary, greatly extended in practice. It is +now not only recognised as law, but actually considered +as a matter of course, to hold to bail on an +<i>ex officio</i> information any person accused of libel or +other misdemeanour tending to a breach of the peace, +though admitted not to amount to one. Subjects of +this nature seldom excite much interest in the public, +without exciting too much to render it practicable +or perhaps prudent to legislate about them. It is +part of the duty of a public man, and one which I +have endeavoured to perform, to keep in view the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>abuses of which at any one time he has felt the +inconvenience without being able to rectify it, and +to seize the opportunity of quickly and silently +correcting them, when there is less prejudice or +passion likely to be offered to him and less commendation +or notice likely to attend his success.</p> + +<p>All such considerations, and others of yet greater +delicacy and importance, were soon afterwards overwhelmed +by a marvellous tide of good fortune in +our foreign wars. Lord Wellington displayed the +promptitude and decision of a great general in the +battle of Salamanca. General Marmont (whose elevation +to command, by the favour or caprice of Napoleon, +was destined to be fatal to the interests of that extraordinary +man) exposed his army to disadvantage.⁠<a id="FNanchor_158" href="#Footnote_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a> +Lord Wellington seized the moment; his movements +were rapid, judicious, and fortunate, and his victory +decisive.⁠<a id="FNanchor_159" href="#Footnote_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a> The battle is considered by military men, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>and, I believe, by the General himself, as the greatest +action of his life. In its consequences it was scarcely +less important than his subsequent more brilliant +and celebrated, though perhaps not better deserved, +victories. Madrid was entered by the English, our +army advanced into Old Castile, and the siege of +Cadiz was raised in the course of a month. Some +of the fruits of this success were indeed lost by Lord +Wellington’s rash and obstinate attack on Burgos, +and by the prudent manœuvres of General Clausel⁠<a id="FNanchor_160" href="#Footnote_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a> +on his flank. Yet the south of Spain was permanently +relieved, and a prospect of liberation from the French +held out to all Spaniards, which was ultimately +realised in their favour. At home our hopes revived. +Ministers wisely judged the moment propitious for +the election of a new House of Commons, and they +dissolved Parliament. The event justified their policy. +The Parliament of 1812 was not less subservient to +the Ministry than the one which had preceded it.</p> + +<p>The theatre at Drury Lane, rebuilt in consequence +of the labours of a Committee of which I was a +member, but in which Mr. Whitbread was chief +director, adviser, and agent, was opened in October. +So rose within the compass of a year an age’s work—a +glorious theatre. Mr. Whitbread somewhat incautiously +advertised for a competition of addresses +to be spoken at the opening, with a promise of £100 +to the successful candidate, and of entire impartiality +in the selection.⁠<a id="FNanchor_161" href="#Footnote_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a> We received many dozen copies of +verses. One was worse than the other, and not one +fit to be delivered. In this emergency, for it was no +less, I applied to Lord Byron; and observed that +nothing but such a prologue as he alone could write, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>and the authority of so great a poetical name as his, +could extricate us from our distress and excuse us +with the public for breaking faith with the poetasters. +He kindly undertook the task. His verses, though +not particularly adapted to stage recitation nor equal +to some of his happiest effusions, will always be read +for their poetry, and fully justified the expectation +we had formed of them. He was singularly good-humoured +and even docile in correcting, curtailing, +or lengthening any passage at my request; but he +earnestly and emphatically conjured me, when once +“those fellows the actors” had touched or even +seen them, not to allow so much as a comma to be +displaced. We offered him a concealed place in the +theatre to hear them delivered, but he vehemently +exclaimed: “I would not be within fifty miles of the +place, on that night, for the universe.” It was well +he was not. Mr. Elliston⁠<a id="FNanchor_162" href="#Footnote_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a> recited them in a manner +to drive an author mad.</p> + +<p>When first Lord Byron agreed to write this address, +he said to me, “I will try, but how shall I avoid that +d—d Phœnix? We must not for the world have a +feather of that rare bird, which is become as commonplace +as a turtledove.” Mr. Whitbread, in doubt +whether Lord Byron would comply, composed an address +himself of more than fifty lines, in which the burning +and rebuilding of the theatre were very elaborately +compared to the death and revival of the Phœnix, +whose plumage, appearance, and natural history were +very minutely described. I mentioned this circumstance +to Mr. Sheridan, with the obvious remark that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span>Byron felt about his task like a poet, and Whitbread +like a schoolboy. “Like a schoolboy!” exclaimed +Sheridan, who had seen the copy. “No, rather like a +poulterer.” There was no great harm and there was +much pleasantry in this sarcasm on Mr. Whitbread’s bad +taste; but in many of Sheridan’s observations on his +benefactor and friend there was such malignity as too +clearly showed that he was of a nature which, uneasy +under the weight of an obligation, made him bitterly +hate the man who had conferred it. His pride was +mortified at the success of that interference of Mr. +Whitbread, which he had himself solicited.⁠<a id="FNanchor_163" href="#Footnote_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a> He +rejected the offer of a private box, and I believe he +never set his foot in the new theatre.</p> + +<p>To the Russian campaign Napoleon had directed the +efforts of his vast Empire; and to the diversion of his +attention and forces towards that quarter, as well as +to the spirit of the Spanish people, to the skill of Lord +Wellington, and to the improving valour and discipline +of the English armies, our great successes in the +Peninsula are mainly to be ascribed. But the scene +for which he prepared such sacrifices exhibited yet +more dreadful disasters to his army. The French, +after a course of victories more or less disputed, +had advanced to Moscow, which they entered on +September 14, 1812. Soon afterwards a large portion +of that immense city was burnt to the ground, whether +by accident or by design is still perhaps a problem, +but, in either case, by the Russian inhabitants and not +by the foreign invaders. For a time, however, the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>deed was imputed to the French, and the heartless and +horrid sacrifice of so many lives and so much property +was stigmatised, with great parade of humanity, by our +writers and politicians. When, however, the consequences +of the conflagration were perceived to be +injurious to the invading army as well as ruinous to +the inhabitants, and when it was known that the +French had made every exertion to extinguish, not to +spread, the flames, then the incendiaries (whoever they +were) changed into patriots; and whether the act was +perpetrated as a desperate military expedient by the +Cabinet of Russia, or (as indeed is most probable) was +the resource of an unprincipled band of robbers, with +the hopes of plunder and impunity, it was extolled as +an heroic exploit, an instance of self-devotion almost +unparalleled in history. Such is the justice of public +opinion during war. All sense of right and wrong is +confounded; passion, self-interest, and national prejudice +govern the world.</p> + +<p>The ravages of the fire certainly rendered the French +occupation of Moscow insecure and inconvenient. +They abandoned it in October, and cold weather +setting in unusually early that season, many hardships +of their retreat were known in England, and more +disasters confidently expected at the meeting of the +new Parliament in November. The House and the +country were too much elated to listen to any recommendation +of peace. Mr. Canning was said to have +prepared a triumphant answer to the pacific language +which he was persuaded that Mr. Whitbread would +not fail to adopt in a speech and an amendment. That +gentleman, having some inkling of the intentions of his +opponent and rival, prudently gave up all thoughts of +any motion, and concealed himself during the earlier +part of the debate. He did not quit his retreat till +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>Mr. Canning, impatient of his absence and fearful of +the question being put, had actually commenced his +harangue. He then, by walking up the House with a +complacent smile, somewhat disconcerted Mr. Canning, +who, between the invectives he had prepared and the +more temperate tone which the state of the debate +seemed to enjoin, produced little or no effect on the +House, disappointed the young members by a bad +specimen of his eloquence, and conciliated no party by +his ill-timed oration. But though the successes on the +Continent furnished no opportunity of triumph to Mr. +Canning over the friends of peace in the House of +Commons, they strengthened the Ministry, and revived +hopes long relinquished in the Court and the +country.</p> + +<p>A sum of money was voted by Parliament for the +relief of the sufferers in Russia. Such a measure, as +an indication of national feeling, might have some +effect on the opinion of people on the Continent. +Even if not judicious to propose it, it would have been +invidious to oppose it. It was said, however, to +mortify the pride rather than conciliate the goodwill +of the Russian Government. It was, moreover, so +much diverted from its destination in its progress to +the sufferers, that it enriched agents and jobbers in a +much larger proportion than it relieved the objects +of compassion.</p> + +<p>Napoleon, in his rapid march to Moscow and his +subsequent delay in and about that capital, reckoned, +from his personal knowledge, on the irresolute +character of the Emperor Alexander, his inexperience +in war, his distrust and suspicions of his own +generals. Such qualities, he very reasonably argued, +might induce him to submit to peace, rather than +prolong a contest which must end in his utter ruin +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>or in his being rescued by skill and experience which +would render some of his subjects too powerful +for their Sovereign. But in acting on such views, +Napoleon risked the consequences of a great military +fault on a political speculation, which a little foresight +might have shown him was an uncertain one, and +which events proved to be a fallacious one. In his +notions of the want of firmness of Alexander he was +not mistaken; but he miscalculated his power, and +overlooked the dangers which, on the other side, +might operate on that very want of firmness, and +did, in fact, counteract the first inclinations of the Czar, +which were such as Napoleon foresaw. It required, +in truth, as much resolution to make peace as to +persevere in war. The spirit of the army,⁠<a id="FNanchor_164" href="#Footnote_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a> the +interest of the nobles, and the vanity of the Russian +nation all conspired to deprecate any ignominious +treaty; and their remonstrances were, I have been +told, in a character which a Russian Sovereign well +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>knows how to decipher and is seldom disposed to +neglect. These circumstances and the representations +of Bernadotte, the Crown Prince of Sweden, over-ruled +Alexander’s wavering disposition, and made +him a patriot and a conqueror in despite of his own +judgment and in defiance of nature, which, though +it had bestowed on him some little talent and +dexterity, had denied him that energy of character +which is generally the most requisite ingredient in +the composition of a warrior and a hero.</p> + +<p>The language of our Ministers at the end of 1812, +if not pacific, was to the full as moderate as the +temper of Parliament or of the country, and even +more so than that of some of our Whig connections. +Some manufacturing districts in the heart of the +kingdom did, indeed, show a disposition to petition +for peace; but there was no ground to suppose that +our Government would insist on very unreasonable +terms, and there was some reason to apprehend that +an earnest clamour for peace out of doors might so +far revive the spirit of Napoleon as to lead him to +reject conditions to which he might with honour +submit. I, accordingly, informed such of the petitioners +as applied to me that I was “friendly to the object +of their prayer, eager and anxious to promote it, +but that I had some doubts of the policy of petitioning +for it at that period, and could not engage, should +I present their petitions, to found any motion upon +them. I was apprehensive that such public demonstrations +of the necessity of peace might raise the terms +of the enemy, and I was not certain that our Ministers +were not actually negotiating to obtain peace. If, +however, I found that they took no steps for that +purpose, I should ere long be anxious that the people +by their earnest remonstrances might compel them to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>do so.” In most instances the petitioners acquiesced +in my advice. Some few insisted on my presenting +their petitions, but they were not sufficient either +in number or weight to place the friends of peace +in any awkward predicament, or to provoke the +adverse party to sound their war whoop in Parliament +with any effect.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile petitions of a different nature +seemed to occupy the people. Several meetings had +been called, both in towns and counties, to petition +Parliament against any concession to the Roman +Catholics. The friends of the measure, if not lukewarm, +were timid. A strong persuasion that the sense +of the country was decidedly hostile induced them +to let many meetings pass without opposition, and to +confine all their exertions for the cause within the +walls of Parliament. Lord Lansdowne, however, and +myself determined to meet the anti-Catholics in one of +their fastnesses, Wiltshire. We attended a meeting at +Devizes, and partly, we flattered ourselves, by argument, +but chiefly by the assistance of the Protestant +Dissenters and the Methodists, succeeded in defeating +the projected petition. I claimed on that occasion +from the active agents of the Methodists that assistance +in favour of other Christians, which in 1811 they had +promised me.⁠<a id="FNanchor_165" href="#Footnote_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a> They fulfilled their promise most faithfully, +and not only zealously co-operated with us at +Devizes, but handsomely furnished me and others +with the admirable and well-organised facilities which +they have at their command, for disseminating such +tracts and arguments as we deemed serviceable to +the general cause of religious liberty and to Catholic +Emancipation in particular.</p> + +<p>The temperate conduct of Mr. Grattan and the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>argumentative eloquence of Mr. Plunket⁠<a id="FNanchor_166" href="#Footnote_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a> had their +weight with the House of Commons, who, on +March 2, 1813, in a House of 488 members, passed, +by a majority of 40, a resolution to take the claims +of the Roman Catholics into immediate consideration +and refer them to a Committee. After much consultation +out of doors, in which Mr. Grattan, Mr. Canning, +Mr. Ponsonby, Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Elliot,⁠<a id="FNanchor_167" href="#Footnote_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a> Lord +Grey, Lord Grenville, Lord Lansdowne, and myself +took a part, a bill, founded on the mistaken principle +of exacting different securities for the allegiance of +Catholics and of Protestants, and in some other +respects ill-framed, was brought into the House of +Commons, and after various discussions passed the +first stages and was committed on May 24.</p> + +<p>The Speaker, Mr. Abbot,⁠<a id="FNanchor_168" href="#Footnote_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a> a pragmatical man of some +talents for detail, but alike incapable of great views +and generous feelings, moved to omit the clause admitting +Roman Catholics to Parliament, and effected +his intolerant purpose by a majority of four. Mr. +Ponsonby somewhat hastily declared the boon, so +limited, not to be worth the acceptance of the Catholics +nor beneficial to the service of the country, and, moving +that the Chairman should leave the chair, relinquished +the bill altogether. The question was not brought +forward that year in the Lords. At the termination of +the Session Mr. Abbot, in an unusual and unparliamentary +manner, thought proper to mention in his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span>speech at the bar of the House of Lords the relinquishment +of the measure in a Committee, as a firm +determination to support our establishments. Lord +Morpeth informed him privately before he withdrew +from the House of Lords that he would in the ensuing +Session bring his conduct before the Commons;⁠<a id="FNanchor_169" href="#Footnote_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a> +and when in a few years afterwards he retired from +the chair, Lord William Russell objected to the usual +vote of thanks, and founded his resistance to them +on this very act of irregularity, originating in adulation +and servility to the Crown, and rewarded, as it +should seem, by a pension and a peerage.</p> + +<p>In April, 1813, died my maternal uncle, General +FitzPatrick,⁠<a id="FNanchor_170" href="#Footnote_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> one of the dearest friends I ever had. +He was, I think, the most agreeable man I ever +conversed with. One or two of his contemporaries +might vie with him in wit and exceed him <i>perhaps</i> in +some mental endowments, <i>certainly</i> in knowledge and +learning; but none united with an equal portion of +such qualifications his evenness of temper and spirits, +his polished manners, pure taste, sound judgment, and +worldly experience. His conversation was delightful +in all seasons, situations, and societies, in the hour +of confidence and affliction, and in the moments of +relaxation and carelessness. He shone equally as a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>friend, an adviser, or a companion. He had been the +associate of Mr. Fox from their first entrance into +life, and was to the close of it the man on whose +friendship he most implicitly relied in private, in +whose conversation he most delighted, and on whose +judgment and advice he most depended in all grave +and public affairs. He had as much scorn of a +Court, and as much disdain of all petty objects of +avarice and ambition, as Mr. Fox himself; he was, +too, full as inflexible, where principle or high spirit +required firmness. He had, however, less ardour in +his pursuits; he had perhaps less popular feeling, +though not less party honour; in short, he was less +susceptible of that glorious enthusiasm which stimulates +genius into action, than his friend. He sometimes +allayed the impetuosity, and yet more frequently +checked the too unbounded confidence, which the +sanguine and artless disposition of Mr. Fox was +inclined to repose on the efficacy of a just cause and +the co-operation of accidental connections.</p> + +<p>He had, at an early period, been active in public life, +and, both as Secretary in Ireland with the Duke of +Portland and Secretary at War in 1784,⁠<a id="FNanchor_171" href="#Footnote_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a> had shown +much firmness and talents for business and even some +powers of application. But he was constitutionally +indolent, and habitual indulgence of his passion for +women and play increased that infirmity so much, that +in the Administration of 1806 he was a cypher in +Parliament.</p> + +<p>The death of Mr. Fox extinguished the few sparks +of ambition that remained in him; and although to +preserve the Russell interest in Bedfordshire he +obligingly consented to be brought forward for that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>county, he took little interest in politics after losing +the friend of his youth and the leader of his party. +The gout, and yet more the remedies taken to relieve +it, weakened his constitution. Without any actual +depression of spirits, his exertions in the intercourse +of private society grew fainter and fainter, and the +charms of his conversation were often questioned by +those of his new acquaintance who were not at +the pains to draw them forth. As a poet he was +best known for his share in the <i>Rolliad</i> and other +political pieces—a species of composition in which +nobody but Sir Charles Hanbury Williams ever +excelled him; but there are many other light poems +of his writing extant, both in manuscript and in print, +which for ease, sprightliness, feeling, and harmony +would bear comparison with the happiest effusions +of Prior. They should some day be collected and +published. I found the following lines among his +papers, entitled,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="center">MY OWN EPITAPH</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Whose turn is next? This monitory stone</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Replies, “Vain Passenger, perhaps thy own.”</div> + <div class="verse indent0">If idly curious thou shouldst seek to know,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Whose relics mingle with the dust below,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Enough to tell thee that his destined span</div> + <div class="verse indent0">On Earth he dwelt, and like thyself was Man.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Nor distant far th’ inevitable day,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">When thou, poor Mortal, shalt, like him, be clay.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Thro’ life he walked, unemulous of fame,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Nor wished beyond it to preserve a name,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Content so friendship on his humble bier</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Dropped but the heartfelt tribute of a tear,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Tho’ countless ages should unconscious glide</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Nor learn that he has ever lived or died.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>His illness and death prevented my attendance in +Parliament for some weeks during the spring of 1813. +Lord Grenville during that time supported the inroads +made on the monopoly of the East India Company +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>on the occasion of the renewal of their Charter, in +a very able speech.⁠<a id="FNanchor_172" href="#Footnote_172" class="fnanchor">[172]</a> He took this line without consulting +Mr. Tierney, the President of the Board of +Control in his Administration. Mr. Tierney was +perhaps too much wedded to the narrow policy which +usually governed the Company, and he was certainly +nettled at this mark of want of confidence from Lord +Grenville. He, on the other hand, had not been +pleased at Mr. Tierney’s twice declining an offer +from the Marquis of Buckingham to bring him into +Parliament. Such personal estrangements produced +no quarrel in the party; but when in 1818 and 1819 +difference of opinion on public matters led to a +separation, they diminished the regret of individuals, +and perhaps accelerated an inevitable event.</p> + +<p>The conduct of Mr. Whitbread on the business of +the Princess of Wales yet more naturally excited +feelings of resentment in different members of the +party. I do not wish to relate at length any of the +transactions connected with that lady’s conduct, case, +or fortunes. The documents are all preserved and +published; and the whole business, though it agitated +the public at various periods, in 1806⁠<a id="FNanchor_173" href="#Footnote_173" class="fnanchor">[173]</a> and 1813, in 1820 +and 1821, was at all times degrading to the national +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>character, disgusting and tiresome to those who +viewed public affairs with any philosophy, nearly +devoid of interest to me, and entirely devoid of it to +posterity.</p> + +<p>Suffice it to say that the Regent, on the death of +Mr. Perceval, wished once more to revive inquiries +into the conduct of the Princess, with the prospect +of getting rid of her; while she, availing herself of +the hopes excited by the increasing importance of +the heir-presumptive, her daughter, was studious to +court popularity and pity for the purpose of gratifying +her resentment and mortifying her husband and +persecutor. Hence he referred all the documents and +papers relating to the investigation of 1806, together +with suggestions of new matter of suspicion, to his +Ministers and Privy Council; and she, on hearing +the rumour thereof, wrote to the Speaker of the House +of Commons and to the Prince Regent himself. She +consulted Mr. Brougham professionally; and Mr. +Whitbread, secretly instigated by Mr. Creevey, eagerly +espoused her cause both prospectively and retrospectively.</p> + +<p>He⁠<a id="FNanchor_174" href="#Footnote_174" class="fnanchor">[174]</a> thereby involved Sir Samuel Romilly, Lord +Erskine, and Lord Ellenborough, and indeed the +whole Ministry of 1806 and the leaders of the party +with whom he was acting, in one sweeping charge +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span>of base servility to the Prince and injustice to +a persecuted and innocent woman. In a yet more +unfriendly manner he concealed his intentions from +those he was so ready to suspect and accuse. +So far from seeking any private explanation before +he made a public attack, he walked down to the +House of Commons with Lord Grey on March 17, +and never consulted him on the communications +he had received from Mrs. Lisle,⁠<a id="FNanchor_175" href="#Footnote_175" class="fnanchor">[175]</a> which he read +that very day in his place; though they, and yet +more the remarks of Mr. Whitbread upon them, +tended to inculpate the Commissioners and the +Cabinet of 1806 in a transaction which they alone +could explain and of which he himself was utterly +ignorant. The statements he made were in themselves +incorrect, the inferences he drew unfair, and +the impression he laboured to produce most injurious +to the character of persons he professed to +respect. The four Commissioners, Lord Ellenborough, +Lord Erskine, Lord Spencer, and Lord Grenville, +vindicated themselves on a subsequent day in the +House of Lords; but the intemperate language of Lord +Ellenborough, who nicknamed Whitbread “Folly,” +and said his assertions were “as false as Hell,” somewhat +diverted attention from the rashness of the +popular orator to the violence of the Chief Justice, and +divided the censure and indignation of the Whig +party pretty equally between the two injudicious +combatants. The result of the whole affair was to +recognise the right in the Prince Regent to regulate +all intercourse with his daughter, to convey a strong +public censure of any revival of proceedings against +the Princess, and to show that the power to which her +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>husband had been raised, and in the exercise of which +he was so strongly supported in Parliament, had not +diminished one tittle of his personal unpopularity.</p> + +<p>Before the Princess of Wales made her appeal to +Parliament and the public, her counsel solemnly but +secretly conjured her not to proceed, if on recollection +she could charge herself with any impropriety or +levity of conduct, much less with anything approaching +to criminality⁠<a id="FNanchor_176" href="#Footnote_176" class="fnanchor">[176]</a>⁠; but she, with that courage which +characterised her throughout and supplied the place, if +it did not imply the reality, of innocence, was all for +defiance. Her advisers had, perhaps, not so much +confidence in her veracity as admiration of her intrepidity, +and were not entirely relieved from their +anxiety about the consequences by her boldness in +facing them. But shortly afterwards all their fears +were unexpectedly allayed by a manœuvre of Lord +Moira. In the hope of alarming Mr. Whitbread with +the consequences of any serious investigation about +the conduct of the Princess, that zealous but injudicious +friend of the Prince spontaneously communicated +all the charges and, if I mistake not, all +the evidence that had been prepared against Her +Royal Highness, to her immediate friends and +advisers, <i>viz.</i>, Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Creevey, and Mr. +Brougham. From that time they knew the extent +of the case against their client, and, deeming it insufficient, +proceeded in good heart, without hesitation +or delay.</p> + +<p>In the course of these transactions, and yet more +in those which ensued, relating to the pecuniary +provision for Her Royal Highness and her departure +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span>from England in 1814, they had opportunities of +discovering in the character of their royal client +many qualities less respectable than that courage +which was termed by her friends intrepidity, and +to which her enemies gave a harsher name. She +showed a total disregard of truth, and a want +of all gratitude, justice, or feeling to those who +served her. As I do not wish to revert to this +subject, I shall here mention my notion of the real +solution of all the conduct of this exalted but +uninteresting lady. I am satisfied that she was +always in a state bordering on insanity, and sometimes +actually insane. I should add, however, that this +persuasion of a contemporary is founded on a knowledge +of her actions and language <i>as repeated by others</i>, +not on any personal observation.⁠<a id="FNanchor_177" href="#Footnote_177" class="fnanchor">[177]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>I never conversed with her but three times. On +the first occasion, when I met her accidentally in +a small and crowded inn in the Apennines, she +conducted herself not only with courtesy, but with +great taste, delicacy, and propriety. In two visits +which I paid Her Royal Highness at Naples, her +manner was hurried and her conversation strange; +but there was nothing indecorous or incoherent +enough to infer any positive aberration of intellect, +though sufficient to suggest to my mind the +possibility of her being liable, as well as others of +her family, to that dreadful infirmity. A strange +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>fatality seemed to attend her and all who approached +her. Those who accused and those who defended +her, the Prince, the Ministers, the Parliament, and +the people, all who took any prominent part either +in her condemnation or triumph, degraded themselves, +and appear to me to have lost all discretion and +judgment. The truth is that the frequency and +violence of the ferment raised by the petty and unprofitable +spite of an irritated husband, and the +levities, irregularities, and extravagances of a lady, +neither young nor handsome, were severe comments +on the institution of Monarchy, and the zeal inspired +in her favour by her persecutions, real or supposed, +a no less strong proof of the childish love for Royalty +still prevalent in this country. Strange indeed that +neither war nor peace, laws nor liberties, could excite +so much anxiety in a free and civilised nation as +the personal character and comfort of two individuals, +who had nothing but their rank about them to raise +interest or even curiosity!</p> + +<p>I revert to my narrative. The disasters of the +French in the north had compelled Napoleon to drain +his army in Spain; and that circumstance, combined +with the skill and vigilance of Lord Wellington and +the unabated aversion of the Spaniards to the French, +led to many brilliant successes of the English in the +Peninsula. In the spring of 1813 Joseph and his +Government abandoned Madrid, and before the end +of June Lord Wellington had gained the glorious +battle of Vittoria, nearly on the spot where the Black +Prince defeated Du Guesclin four hundred and fifty +years before.⁠<a id="FNanchor_178" href="#Footnote_178" class="fnanchor">[178]</a> Lord Wellington, by the rapidity and +skill of his movements, executed in a masterly style +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>by Sir G. Murray,⁠<a id="FNanchor_179" href="#Footnote_179" class="fnanchor">[179]</a> his very able Quarter-Master-General, +had intercepted and surprised the French. +Indeed, the signal victory he obtained at Vittoria +was, like that of Salamanca, as much owing to the +superiority of his generalship as to the courage of +his troops. In the course of the ensuing three months +he drove the French beyond the frontiers, and soon +became with his English, Spanish, and Portuguese force +the invader of France. Our Ministers were too much +elated with this success, with the disastrous retreat of +the French from Moscow, and with the prospect of the +deliverance of Germany by a Confederacy of Sweden, +Russia, and Prussia, to make any reasonable overtures +of peace to the Emperor on his return to Paris.</p> + +<p>Anxious as I was for peace, I did not think it prudent +to urge it upon Parliament during the early part of +the Session, from the following considerations:</p> + +<p>1st. It was just possible that some negotiations +might be on foot, and that public discussion might +be injurious to them.</p> + +<p>2ndly. Debate would have betrayed some difference +of opinion among our own friends; for Lord +Grenville and others would have recommended our +insisting upon terms yet more extravagant than any +which Ministers were likely to suggest.</p> + +<p>3rdly. If there had been, as was shrewdly suspected, +two parties in the Cabinet, one disposed to +negotiate with the Emperor Napoleon, the other to +stickle for a change of government in France, a motion +for peace in Parliament and the discussions thereupon +would have tended to strengthen the latter +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span>rather than the more pacific and moderate division +of our counsels.</p> + +<p>4thly and lastly. I must acknowledge that I +thought a Ministry, composed of Lords Liverpool, +Sidmouth, and Castlereagh, to the full as likely to +adopt moderate counsels, from a sense of their convenience, +as the Parliament or the public, in their +then state of elation, to enforce them.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, the silence of the Allied Powers +during the winter had impressed the people of France +with a belief that their pretensions were unreasonable, +and the spirit and genius of Napoleon enabled him +to draw forth once more the immense resources of +his Empire, to recruit his armies, and to resume the +field in the month of April. His first efforts were +fortunate; but he, like his adversaries, lost the opportunity +of acting with moderation and magnanimity +in the hour of prosperity. He agreed, indeed, to an +armistice, and affected to negotiate for peace; but he +was so unreasonable in his demands, and so obviously +averse to any permanent adjustment of the interests +of all parties, that not only were hostilities renewed, +but the Court of Vienna was provoked by him or +induced by the Allies to join in the Confederacy +against him. I am inclined to ascribe the fluctuation +in the Austrian counsels to real weakness and irresolution, +and not to duplicity. The latter quality, +however, is the weapon most congenial to the taste +and best adapted to the faculties of that cowardly and +ignorant Court, when it wishes to resent an injury +or ruin an enemy.</p> + +<p>Before Parliament broke up I urged, in a speech, +a motion, and a protest, my conviction that a favourable +period for negotiation had been allowed to +elapse; and though the course of events, and above +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>all the misconduct of the French Government, retrieved +the error, I do not repent having recorded +such an opinion, or dread the judgment of such +impartial persons hereafter as will be at the pains +of examining all the circumstances in which we are +placed.</p> + +<p>On the rupture of the truce the tide of success +set in for the Confederates. In number and in spirit +they overpowered the French, and not only the +fortune but the genius of Napoleon seems for a short +season to have abandoned him.⁠<a id="FNanchor_180" href="#Footnote_180" class="fnanchor">[180]</a> He permitted his +enemies to encircle and his allies to betray him in a +manner that half his usual military skill or political +sagacity would have prevented. This period of unaccountable +error terminated in the great battle of +Leipsic on October 18, 1813, a battle fatal to the +predominance of Napoleon in Europe, and the only +action in his eventful career derogatory to his skill +as a General. He was circumvented and defeated in +a way that persons unpractised in war had for several +weeks predicted that he would be, and by armies +commanded by men not only inferior to him, but +[in] no wise eminent for talents, experience, or +judgment. One of the critical moments of this great +battle was decided in favour of the Allies by the +promptitude and gallantry of Sir Robert Wilson, who, +without any actual command, rallied a large body +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>of troops when yielding to the fire of the enemy—a +brilliant exploit which the Emperor Alexander +in person rewarded by bestowing on the field great +military honours on Sir Robert.⁠<a id="FNanchor_181" href="#Footnote_181" class="fnanchor">[181]</a> He received also +in the course of a few days from every member of +the Confederacy some of those tokens of approbation, +which they were afterwards base and silly enough +to recall.</p> + +<p>The news of the victory of Leipsic reached +London on the eve of the meeting of Parliament. +The Prince Regent’s Speech was, I believe, altered to +introduce an allusion to that great event. It was +admirably composed. Some exultation was natural, +and it was there; but it was not insolent, and there +was more moderation towards both France and +America than could well have been expected. Neither +Lord Grey nor Mr. Ponsonby came up to the opening +of Parliament. Lord Grenville had shown an inclination +not only to support the war, but to urge +Ministers to continue it, with a view of wresting +further conquests from France: he was even disposed +to <i>lament</i> the Spanish campaigns as having exhausted +our means of assisting our Allies in the North. From +these topics, however, he was dissuaded by Lord +Grey, with whom he corresponded. The apprehension +of Whitbread moving for peace, so far from deterring +Lord Grenville from warlike language, manifestly +furnished an additional inducement. The temperate +Speech from the Throne disarmed all persons who +were disposed to move for peace, and Mr. Whitbread +defeated all projects, if there were any, for widening +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span>the breach between him and the Grenville branch of +Opposition, by supporting Ministers cordially on +questions of subsidies, militia, and war. “Not the +first time,” observed Mr. Grenville, in a tone of disappointment, +“that he has shown dexterity in avoiding +an actual rupture.”</p> + +<p>In the Lords, the Duke of Sussex and Lord Wellesley +expressed their exultation at the events of the +campaign, and their approbation of the temper in +which the Speech was conceived. Lord Grenville +told Lord Wellesley, when he sat down, that he +differed with him and must animadvert on his being +so very pacific; but on my expostulating with him +and requesting him to forbear, with an acknowledgment +that if he disclaimed the pacific sentiments of +Lord Wellesley I must attempt to maintain them or +leave the House, he very good-humouredly abstained +from all allusion to what Lord Wellesley had said, +and confined himself to the speech which he had +originally intended to deliver. His expressions were +measured, but the general tone of his language was +more warlike than I liked or approved. The impression +that it was more warlike than that of Ministers +was prevalent in the House at the time and in the +country afterwards. I felt a repugnance to any agreement +with Ministers rather than with my friends, and +to avoid all such appearance I gave a silent vote for +the address.</p> + +<p>Mr. Canning, jealous of the applause bestowed +on Lord Grenville’s speech by the lovers of war, +came up some days afterwards and delivered a +very flowery harangue, in which he arrogated to +the framers of former defeated confederacies a large +share of the merit of this, the only successful one. +He affected to distrust the Whigs in their support of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>the Ministry, and laboured to render the contest as +personal as he could against Napoleon. He failed in +his views. The Opposition, throughout the Session, +persisted in the line they had adopted at the commencement +of it. They purposely and studiously +commended the temperate language of Government, +augured well of success, either in negotiation or by +arms, from the moderation of the views of Ministers, +and exhorted them to act up to their professions by +abstaining from all interference with the Government +of France, and from all endeavours to impose any +particular dynasty either on a friendly or a conquered +people.</p> + +<p>One transaction only was open to any animadversion. +On the reverses of the French in Germany, a +counter-revolution had taken place in Holland. From +the thoughtless impetuosity of the multitude or from +some cabal among designing politicians, the populace, +not content with restoring the Prince of Orange, +bestowed on him the title of King, which his family +had never enjoyed and which his countrymen had in +better times regarded with aversion.⁠<a id="FNanchor_182" href="#Footnote_182" class="fnanchor">[182]</a> The Prince +himself would have been satisfied, possibly better +satisfied, with the Stadtholderate. Even the English +Ministers disclaimed any direct participation in the +measure, though some of them, and more of their +supporters at Court, could not suppress their triumph +at the suppression of the very name of Republic, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>which the fashionable and servile seemed to regard +like an indecent word, unfit to be mentioned in +company. The war, as Mr. Sheridan observed, +which had originated in an alarm lest all Europe +should become a Republic, ended in converting every +Republic therein into a Monarchy or a dependency +on some Monarchy.</p> + +<p>The events in Holland encouraged the Prince +Regent and others in their hopes (strange ones for +a Prince of the House of Brunswick) of restoring +the Bourbons in France on the principle of divine +hereditary right, ill-concealed under the specious title +of legitimacy. Lord Castlereagh, however, who left +England for Holland after an adjournment of Parliament, +unusually long, at the end of December, 1813, +certainly neither harboured nor encouraged at that +period any such design. Soon after his arrival in +Holland, and early in January, 1814, the great bodies +of the Allied armies passed the frontiers of France +on the Spanish, Swiss, and German sides, and were +pressing forward with unequal but uninterrupted +success to the centre of the Empire. Napoleon +agreed to and even offered negotiations; and Lord +Castlereagh, as English Plenipotentiary, accepted his +passports, and met the Ministers of the various +Confederate Powers and General Caulaincourt, the +French negotiator, at Chatillon, with the professed +purpose, and, as I believe, with the earnest expectation +of concluding a treaty of peace with the +Emperor Napoleon.</p> + +<p>The situation of the plenipotentiaries was singular. +Lord Castlereagh and General Caulaincourt were +personally sincere in their efforts for a peace, which +their respective Courts would perhaps have disclaimed, +and would certainly have regretted. Prussia +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>and Russia and the other Powers, some from pusillanimity, +some from revenge, some from distrust of +Austria, were desirous of dethroning Napoleon; while +Austria herself would have willingly promoted that +object, provided the Regency of France could have +been secured to the Empress Maria Louisa and the +succession to her son. In such counsels the Court of +Vienna flattered itself that it could, for a season at +least, obtain considerable ascendancy. In the meanwhile +the Duke of Angoulême, secretly instigated by +the Prince Regent and invited perhaps through Lord +Bathurst by Lord Wellington, joined the armies of +the latter General, in spite of the discouraging but at +that time correct remark of his cousin the Duke of +Bourbon, who observed, “<i>Il s’agit de nous nulle part.</i>”</p> + +<p>The hope of separating Austria from the Confederacy, +by awakening her jealousy and gratifying her +well-known appetite for territory, deterred Napoleon +from adopting the frank and direct line which would +have best served his interests as well as suited his +character. Hence, when, in the course of his spirited +and almost miraculous defence, his efforts were +crowned with any transient success, he more naturally +than wisely recoiled from the ignominious necessity +of signing a peace with hostile armies in the heart +of his Empire, and he had recourse to disgraceful +subterfuges to elude it. But his military genius never +shone brighter than in that painful campaign. It was +seconded by the valour of his army, now comparatively +small, and by the spirit [of] his officers, the younger +part of whom more especially displayed a devotion to +his cause and to his person seldom, if ever, exceeded +in history. But he must have perceived that the +mass of the people, harassed by long and repeated +sacrifices, distrustful perhaps lest high thoughts would +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>return with any favourable change of fortune, and +unanimated by those illusions and hopes of liberty +which invigorated their defence of national independence +in the early part of the Revolution, were comparatively +indifferent to the contest. They plotted, +indeed, neither for the Bourbons nor for the Republic, +but they sighed for peace. They listened, too, with +more complacency than became good subjects, or even +good citizens, to those arguments which his own late +conduct at Prague had rendered so plausible, <i>viz.</i>, that +he was the main obstacle to the attainment of general +pacification.</p> + +<p>If such were the pardonable feelings of quiet, meek, +and peaceable spirits in the provinces, baser motives +concurred with a desire for tranquillity to engage +some factions in Paris in a design of deposing the +great man whom they had contributed to elevate +and to corrupt, and whom they had for many years +so abjectly served. Many, and among them Prince +Talleyrand,⁠<a id="FNanchor_183" href="#Footnote_183" class="fnanchor">[183]</a> had long since forfeited his favour. They +had attempted in the hour of his adversity to weaken +his authority at home. If his fortunes were restored, +they thought they could not be forgiven. They were, +therefore, not merely ready to sacrifice Napoleon for +peace, but they were secretly desirous that the Allies +should demand and obtain that species of payment +for the article.</p> + +<p>With this view Talleyrand and, I believe, the +Duke Dalberg⁠<a id="FNanchor_184" href="#Footnote_184" class="fnanchor">[184]</a> fixed upon a M. Vitrolles, a man +of bad private character, to convey a message to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>the Austrians.⁠<a id="FNanchor_185" href="#Footnote_185" class="fnanchor">[185]</a> Their object was confined to this +simple inquiry: “<i>What conditions would be imposed on +France, should France dethrone or abandon Napoleon?</i>” +They were not aware that the man they had selected +was, in truth, a secret agent of the Bourbons. Their +very precautions enabled him to render them his +dupes. They prudently abstained from all writing. +Talleyrand furnished him with a ring known to Prince +Metternich, which would give weight to his assertion +that he was the bearer of a message from Paris. He +arrived at Chatillon with some difficulty. The Allies +were at that moment much exasperated with what +they termed the subterfuges and bad faith of Napoleon. +They were on the eve of breaking off the negotiations. +They were disposed to insist on his deposal, but still +irresolute and possibly divided as to what revolution +to substitute as the price of peace to France. Austria +had enforced her own predisposition in favour of a +Regency and the succession of the King of Rome, +by observing that the silence and apathy of all parts +of France within the lines of the Allies proved the contempt +and oblivion into which the persons and cause +of the Bourbons had fallen. That just remark was +towards the end of the conferences at Chatillon more +weakened in appearance than in reality, by the declarations +in favour of the exiled family at Bordeaux, on +the entrance of the English troops, on March 12, 1814.</p> + +<p>Though there was hardly time for all the details +and intrigues of that transaction to have reached +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>Chatillon, the Allies were probably aware that it was +the contrivance of one or two busy merchants connected +with England by commerce and by blood, and +instigated by foreigners or emigrants rather than any +spontaneous effusion of popular feeling which led to +the display of the White Cockade in that city, where +the distresses occasioned by war with England are, +however, always more felt than in any other part +of France.⁠<a id="FNanchor_186" href="#Footnote_186" class="fnanchor">[186]</a> The officious loyalty of Mr. Lynch, the +head of an Irish house in Bordeaux, however agreeable +to Louis XVIII. or to the Prince Regent, would +hardly have swayed the determination of the Congress +of Chatillon. But when M. Vitrolles, after producing +for his credentials the ring of Prince Talleyrand, artfully +gave to his mission the character of a communication +rather than an inquiry, and asserted that Talleyrand +and others had formed their plot and were anxiously +expecting at Paris the Allied armies and a prompt +declaration in favour of the exiled family of Bourbon, +the Austrians themselves were overpowered by such +evidence; and those who at all times would have +preferred the triumph of hereditary despotism over +any other form of government, naturally concluded +that considerations of prudence were no longer in +the way of their favourite measure.</p> + +<p>Such, according to the report of many well-informed +persons to me,⁠<a id="FNanchor_187" href="#Footnote_187" class="fnanchor">[187]</a> was the intrigue by which the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span>Sovereigns were ultimately led to espouse the cause +of the Bourbons. It is certain that when the armies +did arrive at Paris the Allies were much surprised +to find no conspiracy for the Bourbons actually +organised; and I believe that Talleyrand, on the +first explanation, was no less surprised at finding +that his name had been quoted to the Sovereigns as +advising the restoration of the Bourbons. He was +too quicksighted not to make a virtue of necessity, +and too dexterous, when he found the restoration +unavoidable, not to father the spurious child which +had been so unexpectedly sworn to him by the +prostitute who had conceived it. The Prince Regent, +who had hardly concealed his alarm lest the conferences +at Chatillon should terminate in a treaty, and +who, from petty motives and despicable prejudices +incident to his nature and his station, had always +panted for the restoration of the Bourbons, represented +and probably thought this accidental consummation +of his wishes the result of his personal +sagacity and great exertions in their cause. When +this was related to Mr. Sheridan, and it was added +that the Prince Regent assumed the merit of the +campaigns and the termination of them in the restoration +of Louis XVIII., he drily remarked, “No, +surely! I thought it was the abundant harvest on +which he chiefly plumed himself.”</p> + +<p>The facility with which the vanity of His Royal +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>Highness often admitted and seemed to believe that +great actions to which he could not have contributed +originated with him, was on many occasions ludicrous. +He spoke of battles, at which it was notorious he +could not have been present, in the direct terms of +an eye witness; and he gravely remonstrated with +Mr. Westmacott⁠<a id="FNanchor_188" href="#Footnote_188" class="fnanchor">[188]</a> for omitting him in the sketch of +a <i>bas-relief</i> which represented the battle of Waterloo. +It must, however, be acknowledged that he might +more plausibly attribute the restoration of the +Bourbons in 1814 to his personal exertions than at +first sight appears, for there is reason to suspect +that he not only sent the Duke of Angoulême to +Bordeaux, but that he intrigued at home and abroad +to convert his own Ministers and Foreign Powers to +the persuasion of the propriety and even necessity of +that measure. In the military events he had, indeed, +no share, as he never quitted England and never +witnessed an action. They were too various and +extensive for any one not conversant in such matters +even to recount very intelligibly, but they are +fortunately too well known to require a place in +such notes as I have undertaken to write.</p> + +<p>Of the Allies, the Prussians showed most zeal and +enterprise; the Russians most method and constancy; +and the Austrians least military skill or prowess. It +was remarkable that the armies of those three Powers +defeated the first General of his age at Leipsic, +pursued him into the heart of his populous Empire, +and finally wrested from him his capital and his +crown, without establishing one military reputation +or furnishing history with one name which, either +in war or politics, will swell the catalogue of great +men. Schwarzenberg was a mere cypher; Blucher +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>at best a dashing huzzar; and among the Russians +there was not a single man prominent enough to +require either notice or character. Never were such +vast objects obtained by more insignificant personages. +It is gratifying to an Englishman to observe that these +remarks do not apply to Lord Wellington. He was +a great man in the field, and a more considerable +one in a Cabinet than his sorry exhibitions in the +Senate led the Parliamentary public to suppose.</p> + +<p>When he resumed offensive operations in the +Peninsula he had to contend with Soult, the Duke +of Dalmatia, one of the ablest of the captains of +Napoleon. He baffled all his manœuvres, and gained +more than one pitched battle over his troops; and +then closed his brilliant campaign by a hard-fought +action in which he was successful, on April 10, +near Toulouse, so many days after the entrance of +the Allies into Paris, the decree of the Senate, and +even the abdication of Napoleon, that either great +neglect had occurred in conveying intelligence to the +French generals, or Marshal Soult is answerable for +an unnecessary effusion of blood,⁠<a id="FNanchor_189" href="#Footnote_189" class="fnanchor">[189]</a> like that imputed +to William III. at St. Denis, near Mons, in 1678.</p> + +<p>Of the transactions immediately connected with +the abdication of Napoleon at Fontainebleau and +the counter-revolution at Paris, it would be superfluous +to speak more.⁠<a id="FNanchor_190" href="#Footnote_190" class="fnanchor">[190]</a> Louis, long represented as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span>dying, revived with the thoughts of reigning. He +came to Grillon’s Hotel, Albemarle Street.⁠<a id="FNanchor_191" href="#Footnote_191" class="fnanchor">[191]</a> London +was crowded with equipages and attendants covered +with that ancient badge of pure hereditary despotism, +the white cockade, which, whether as the symbol +of the Stuarts or of the Bourbons, would have been +construed into an overt act of treason at almost +any other period since the acknowledgment of the +Parliamentary title of the House of Brunswick. The +Prince Regent with his own hand bestowed the +Garter on Louis. Much emotion was affected on +the occasion; but the two actors were too unwieldy, +too old, and above all too well known, to excite any +great interest in that flat and insipid exhibition.</p> + +<p>The French King was conveyed to his native shore +from Dover by the Duke of Clarence. On his arrival +at Paris, the same white symbol of ancient servitude +and modern rebellion was substituted for the tricolor +cockade, long endeared to the French army by the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span>sacred rights of which it was an emblem and by the +recollection of numberless victories in which it had +been worn. In the same spirit, the restored Prince +assumed the title of Louis the <i>Eighteenth</i>, thereby +proclaiming himself heir to the rights which the +nation had neglected or denied, and not merely of +those they had instituted and acknowledged. He +contrived to evade, or to alter even, the conditions +of his recall. The Emperor of Russia himself +affected to lament the adherence of the restored +dynasty to ancient and exploded notions, and a +remark of Prince Talleyrand’s on the Royalists was +much repeated, namely, that they had <i>forgotten</i> nothing +and <i>learnt</i> nothing during their emigration.⁠<a id="FNanchor_192" href="#Footnote_192" class="fnanchor">[192]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Peace was signed at Paris on May 30, 1814. The +Confederates, with a view of reconciling the French +to the counter-revolution, either generously or foolishly +abstained from imposing such conditions on the House +of Bourbon as the respective situation of their forces +would have enabled and entitled them to exact from +France. Lord Castlereagh neglected to insist on the +general, immediate, and final abolition of the Slave +Trade.⁠<a id="FNanchor_193" href="#Footnote_193" class="fnanchor">[193]</a> The Saints,⁠<a id="FNanchor_194" href="#Footnote_194" class="fnanchor">[194]</a> + and indeed the public in England, +were deeply disappointed at this omission, which, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>whether oversight or design, betrayed indifference in +the cause. It was, at least, no matter of surprise to +those who reflected that the English Ministry was +exclusively composed of men who, during the long +controversy on that subject, had uniformly signalised +themselves as the enemies of the abolition, and represented +the zeal in its favour as the enthusiasm of +visionaries or the pretences of designing hypocrites.</p> + +<p>Lord Wellington had the bad taste to accept of +the Embassy to Paris—a station which he filled with +less credit to himself than any to which his fortune +had called him.</p> + +<p>The Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia +visited England early in June. The Emperor of +Austria had been expected, but pleaded business or +health as an excuse. If his object was to ingratiate +himself with the Prince Regent, he did not act injudiciously +in absenting himself. The King of Prussia +attracted little notice, either in society or among the +populace. He appeared what he was—a plain soldier +and mere corporal, and he was overshadowed by his +own dragoon, General Blucher, whose coarse and +jovial manners, the result of vulgar ignorance and +military good-humour, together with his veteran +appearance, rendered him a prodigious favourite with +the multitude. Alexander very reasonably excited +more curiosity and interest. His extensive empire, +his inordinate and uncontrolled power, his age, and +even his personal qualities, which, though not extraordinary, +were far superior to those of his brother +Sovereigns, his recent popularity at Paris, and a +thousand other circumstances, made him an object of +attention to all who affected or felt any concern in +the events of the political world. Moreover, he lay +out for popularity; he acted his part decently in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>society and very well in public. A monarch younger +than himself, thus caressing and caressed by an English +crowd, afforded no gratification to the Prince Regent; +and he could not but be nettled at a foreign Prince, +manifestly observant of such matters, becoming a +witness to his personal unpopularity in the streets +and to the liberties taken both with his Administration +and his family in Parliament.</p> + +<p>From contrivance or from accident a conversation +arose in the Commons on subjects connected with +the Princess of Wales on the very day the Sovereigns +visited that House.⁠<a id="FNanchor_195" href="#Footnote_195" class="fnanchor">[195]</a> It was as notorious as it was +strange that while the cannon were actually announcing +the signature of peace by victorious generals +in the capital of the enemy, the Prince Regent was +pursued in his passage from Carlton to Buckingham +House by the hisses and execrations of the people! +These were not agreeable scenes to be exhibited to +such foreign spectators.</p> + +<p>It is true that when the Sovereigns accompanied +His Royal Highness into the city no such +marks of displeasure escaped from the throngs who +pressed upon them, but even then the populace +were at some pains to make it manifest that affection +for their own Prince had no share in reconciling +them to the cavalcade or assemblage of Monarchs, +which they applauded. It was obvious that Alexander +remarked these appearances: it was, moreover, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span>whispered at Court that he and his sister, the +Duchess of Oldenburg, had been busy in estranging +the mind of the Princess Charlotte from a marriage +with Henry, the Prince of Orange,⁠<a id="FNanchor_196" href="#Footnote_196" class="fnanchor">[196]</a> then in contemplation. +It is certain that a matrimonial alliance took +place soon afterwards between that Prince and an +Arch-duchess of Russia. The apprehension of having +been outwitted in a political intrigue by the two +Russian visitors exasperated the Prince Regent not +a little, and all these considerations produced in his +mind a strong personal dislike to the Emperor +Alexander. It was shrewdly suspected that the +scheme of marriage, thus frustrated by the Russians, +had been entertained by the Court of Carlton House, +with the double view of removing from the eyes of +the public the object of their growing idolatry and +from the Princess of Wales the only person in whose +society she could find any resource and from whose +affections she could derive any support. On the other +hand, it is just to add that the advisers of the Prince +Regent have maintained that his principal motive in +pressing an immediate marriage, and possibly in preferring +one which would lead to occasional absences +from England, was a knowledge and dread of the +singular impropriety, both of conduct and conversation, +of her mother, and a well-grounded suspicion of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>a systematic design in that quarter of involving +Princess Charlotte in imprudent, if not criminal, +intercourse with young officers and men of gallantry +and adventure.</p> + +<p>Stories of that sort, well or ill authenticated, +certainly formed an original part of the green bag +of 1820;⁠<a id="FNanchor_197" href="#Footnote_197" class="fnanchor">[197]</a> and the readiness with which the Prince +Regent and the old Queen acquiesced in, and even +promoted, the subsequent marriage with Prince +Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, though not suggested by +either of them,⁠<a id="FNanchor_198" href="#Footnote_198" class="fnanchor">[198]</a> is some presumptive proof that an +early marriage, and not absence, was the object they +had chiefly in view. The conduct of the young lady, +if not indecorous, was at least intrepid enough. She +showed strong dispositions to continue the habit of +the Brunswick family, and, had she lived, a disunion +between the child and the parent would in all probability +have been as prominent a feature in the +reign of George IV. as it had been in those of his +three predecessors. She peremptorily declined marriage +with the Prince of Orange, and in her letter +to him contrived to assign the two motives most +unpalatable to her father, <i>viz.</i>, a repugnance to any +residence abroad and a strong affection for her +mother. The letter was as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Warwick House</span>, <i>16 June, 1814</i>.</p> + +<p>After reconsidering, according to your wishes, the +conversation that passed between us this morning, +I am still of opinion the duties and affections that +naturally bind us to our own respective countries +render our marriage incompatible, not only from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>motives of policy, but domestic happiness. From +recent circumstances that have occurred I am fully +convinced that my interest is naturally connected +with that of my mother, and that my residence +out of this Kingdom would be equally prejudicial +to her interests and my own; as I can never forget +the maternal claims she has upon my duty and +attachment. I am equally aware of the claims your +country has upon you. It was this consideration, +added to the desire I had of complying with your +wishes, which induced me some time ago to agree +to accompany you to Holland, if I obtained satisfactory +security of having it in my power to return. +Since that time the many unforeseen events that +have occurred, particularly those regarding the +Princess,⁠<a id="FNanchor_199" href="#Footnote_199" class="fnanchor">[199]</a> make me feel it impossible to quit England +at present, or to enter into any engagement leading +to it at a future time.</p> + +<p>After what has passed this morning between us +(which was much too conclusive to require explanation), +I must consider our engagement from this +moment to be <i>totally and for ever at an end</i>. I leave +the explanation of this affair to be made by you +to the Prince in whatever manner is most agreeable +to you, trusting it entirely to your honour (of which +for a moment I never doubted). I cannot conclude +without expressing the sincere concern I feel in being +the cause of giving you pain; which feeling, however, +is lessened in a degree by the hope I stand acquitted +in your eyes of having acted dishonourably by you +in the course of this business, or of having ever raised +false hopes in your mind with respect to my consenting +to a residence abroad. You must recollect that in a +letter from me to yours of May 3, that I told you +that it was impossible for me to give any promise +on that subject, as it must totally depend on circumstances.</p> + +<p>It only now remains for me to entreat you to +accept my sincerest and best wishes for your +happiness, and to express the friendship and interest +I shall always feel towards you.</p> + +<p class="right">(Signed) <span class="smcap">Charlotte.</span>⁠<a id="FNanchor_200" href="#Footnote_200" class="fnanchor">[200]</a></p> + +</blockquote> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="illus5" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus5.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><i>Princess Charlotte</i></p> + <p><i>Sir T. Lawrence, P.R.A. Pinx.</i> + <span class="spacer"><i>Emery Walker Ph. Sc.</i></span></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span></p> + +<p>The selection of topics in the above letter was +unquestionably as offensive as it could be to the Prince +Regent. The unforeseen events regarding the +Princess of Wales were: her late exclusion from +Court, her husband’s declaration that he would never +meet her, her appeal to Parliament in a letter to the +Speaker, and the discussions that arose thereupon.⁠<a id="FNanchor_201" href="#Footnote_201" class="fnanchor">[201]</a> +The Prince was exceedingly irritated, and, after +various altercations with his daughter, in which +according to her account many menaces were resorted +to, exasperated or alarmed her so much that she +suddenly eloped on July 12, and conveyed herself +in a hackney coach to her mother’s house in +Connaught Place. She did so <i>certainly</i> without legal +advice, and I have been always assured without any +concert with the Princess of Wales, who, after consulting +Mr. Brougham and the Duke of Sussex, +persuaded her to return.⁠<a id="FNanchor_202" href="#Footnote_202" class="fnanchor">[202]</a> The only use that Princess +Charlotte made of her strange and indecorous <i>escapade</i>, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span>was to record a solemn declaration <i>while she was at +liberty</i>, that she had herself, of her own free will, +broken off the match with the Prince of Orange, +and that it should never take place.</p> + +<p>Soon after these transactions, or rather while they +were passing, I left England, and spent the remainder +of the year 1814 abroad. I consequently know little +or nothing that occurred in this country from that +time till the renewal of war in 1815 that is not to +be found in newspapers, Parliamentary reports, and +<i>Annual Registers</i>.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION_TO_BOOK_THE_FOURTH">INTRODUCTION +TO BOOK THE FOURTH</h2> + +</div> + +<p>The Treaty of Paris in 1814 had materially +assisted to restore Europe to its condition of +a quarter of a century before; but the new spirit +of republicanism, inspired by the doctrines of the +French Revolution, had in most cases forced upon +the restored Sovereigns a growing regard for the +comfort and welfare of their subjects.</p> + +<p>Spain was an unfortunate exception of this happy +state of affairs. Ferdinand, at best little more than a +buffoon, celebrated his return to power by renouncing +the Constitution of 1812 and persecuting its chief +supporters. The Spaniards, blind to everything but +their veneration of the name of Monarchy, gave him +their entire confidence. This unfortunately was completely +misplaced; the state of the people became as +it was in the worst period of Charles IV.’s reign, +and the country again became a prey to the rapacity +of favourites and the extortions of an unscrupulous +clergy.</p> + +<p>The re-establishment of the Bourbons in France +commenced more peacefully, but rumours of serious +disaffection were soon rife in Paris. Louis XVIII. +had granted a charter on his return, framed on very +liberal and enlightened lines, but his weakness in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>pandering to the emigrants and the clergy created +much disaffection, especially in the army.</p> + +<p>The Congress held at Vienna had many difficulties +with which to contend; and the meetings barely +escaped an abrupt termination. A secret combination +of England, France, and Austria was formed to resist +the designs of Russia and Prussia on Poland and +Saxony; but fortunately matters were successfully +arranged, and before the chance for further dissension +could arise, complete unanimity was restored +by the news of the escape of Napoleon from Elba. +The deposed Emperor, who had received information +of the fact that the people of France were not satisfied +with their present rulers, landed near Cannes on +February 26, and advanced north. The country rallied +to him as one man, and within a month he entered +Paris. Any hopes, however, that he may have had of +a peaceful retention of France were soon dispelled. +The Allied Sovereigns at once renewed their pledges +of combined action; Napoleon was proclaimed an +outlaw, and steps were concerted to cope with the +common danger. Murat took up arms in Italy to +assist his former master, but was easily overthrown +by the Austrians, and his forces dispersed. Napoleon, +preferring to fight outside the borders of France, +advanced into Belgium at the head of 129,000 men. +The campaign, which lasted less than a week, terminated +at Waterloo. Napoleon fled first to Paris, +and afterwards to Rochefort, whence he hoped to +escape to the United States accompanied by a few +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>faithful adherents. He was, however, unable to carry +out his design, and in despair went on board an +English man-of-war, throwing himself on the mercy +of the Prince Regent. The British Government, determined +on this occasion to choose some spot whence +there could be no possibility of return, fixed on St. +Helena, and Napoleon ended his days there in 1821.</p> + +<p>Louis XVIII. was restored to the throne on the +re-occupation of Paris by the Allies. The second +Treaty of Paris was signed in November, after +much discussion as to the terms to be imposed. +By the most important clauses, France was to pay +indemnities amounting to about £40,000,000, and +to defray the cost of an occupation of the northern +provinces by an Allied force of 150,000 men for five +years. In the meanwhile, the members of the Congress +of Vienna had continued and terminated their +endeavours to effect a lasting settlement of Europe. +The kingdom of Poland was included in the dominions +of the Czar; half Saxony and the Duchy of Warsaw +were joined to Prussia; the smaller German states +were federated; and other international questions, +such as the Abolition of the Slave Trade, received +serious attention.</p> + +<p>The restoration of the Bourbons was the signal for +a political reaction throughout France, which in parts +of the country developed tendencies reminiscent of +the Revolution. Royalist outbreaks took place in +the south on the receipt of the news of Napoleon’s +overthrow, and continued with violence until forcibly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span>repressed with the assistance of the army of occupation. +The election of the Chamber, which took +place in August, 1815, resulted in a complete victory +for the Ultra-Royalists, to the almost entire exclusion +of the Liberal and Republican parties. Fouché and +Talleyrand were dismissed, and a new Ministry was +formed under the Duc de Richelieu, which at once +took in hand the prosecution of those men excepted +by name from the Acts of Amnesty. Most of them +had been sensible enough to leave the country, +but some had remained, and of these Ney and +Labedoyère paid the penalty for their temerity. The +policy of the new Ministry, whose hands were forced +by the violence of their supporters, became more and +more advanced, and within two years the <i>rôles</i> of +the two parties seemed reversed, the <i>Ultras</i> attempting +to weaken the Royal power, and the Liberals +to support the monarchy. The allied forces, under +the supreme command of Wellington, continued their +occupation of the French territories until 1818, when +they were withdrawn.</p> + +<p>The final termination of a war which had increased +the English National Debt by over £550,000,000, +raised hopes in the breasts of the people of England, +which unfortunately proved to be fallacious. The +nation expected that an alleviation of the grievous +burden of taxation from which it had been suffering +would be accompanied by a revival of trade. The +year 1815 certainly seemed to foretell happier times, +but the following year witnessed a reaction which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>plunged the poorer portion of the population in the +direst distress. The propertied and influential classes, +terrified at the excesses of the French Revolution, +strained every nerve to discount all popular movements. +A Corn Law, passed in 1815, forbidding +the importation of corn until the price reached 80<i>s.</i> +a quarter, as well as the repeal of the Property +Tax, increased the destitution of the agricultural +labourers and dwellers in the manufacturing towns. +The discontent and agitation were encouraged by +William Cobbett’s paper, <i>The Weekly Register</i>, which +advocated universal suffrage and annual parliaments. +The Regent, on his return from the House +of Lords in 1816, was assailed by stones, while +riots and seditious meetings were common throughout +the country. Lord Sidmouth, the Home +Secretary, covering the weakness of Government +with a specious appearance of power, carried the +suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, and originated +other arbitrary forms of repression. These, however, +were insufficient to quell the disturbances. +Meetings were held in all parts of England, and the +celebrated riot near Manchester in 1819, known as +the “Massacre of Peterloo,” raised a storm of protests +against the stringent enactments carried by Lord +Liverpool’s Administration. The laws, however, in +restraint of sedition, termed “The Six Acts,” which +were passed during the same year, had their effect; +and a revival of trade in 1820 caused a momentary +lull in the radical campaign for reform.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span></p> + +<p>Many deaths occurred in the Royal Family during +1817 and the three succeeding years. In 1817 Princess +Charlotte, the Prince Regent’s only child, who had +married Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg during the +preceding year, died in childbirth; and a year later +occurred the death of Queen Charlotte. Early in +January, 1820, the Duke of Kent died, leaving an +only daughter, destined to succeed to the throne as +Queen Victoria; and before the end of the month +George III. terminated his miserable and sorely +afflicted existence.</p> + +<p>The accession of the Prince Regent again brought +into public notice the unhappy dissensions between +him and his wife. He entirely refused to allow +her name to be inserted in the Prayer Book; +and on her return to England to assert her +rights as Queen Consort, he compelled the Government +to bring the matter forward in Parliament. +Lord Liverpool, realising that the measure would +increase George IV.’s unpopularity with his subjects, +implored him to be content with moderate counsels; +but the King, firm in his resolve, refused to be +satisfied with anything less than a divorce. Queen +Caroline’s arrival in London was little less than +a triumphal procession, and demonstrated clearly +the sympathy of the country with her cause. After a +secret Committee had reported on the case, a bill +was brought forward against her in the House of +Lords, in the summer of 1820, but was dropped for +good and all in October, when the Government +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>majority, on the third reading, dwindled to nine. +The unhappy lady did not long survive, for she +died of internal inflammation early in August, 1821, +after a fruitless attempt, not three weeks before, to +take her place at her husband’s Coronation.</p> + +<p>The five years which succeeded the termination of +the war on the Continent passed without any striking +incident; but in 1820 movements were set on foot +in several of the Mediterranean States, notably Spain, +Italy, and Greece, to obtain more liberal forms of +government. In Spain the restoration of the Constitution +of 1812, withdrawn by the arbitrary decree +of Ferdinand VII. in 1814, was successfully demanded, +and the movement spread with like results +to Portugal.</p> + +<p>The insurgents at Naples were not equally fortunate +in their attempts to diminish the tyrannical +powers of their King, Ferdinand IV. The question +was discussed by a Congress of European +Sovereigns at Laybach, who decided that Ferdinand +should be allowed to retain his arbitrary powers uncurtailed, +and that an Austrian army should be sent +to enforce their resolution. Great Britain took no +part in this despotic action of the Powers; and the +exemption of Spain from external interference was +chiefly due to a protest from the English Government +against the right of the Allied Powers to intervene +in the internal affairs and government of other +States.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="BOOK_THE_FOURTH">BOOK THE FOURTH<br> +1815-1821</h2> + +<p class="smaller">N.B.—This book contains notes for Memoirs from the summer of +1815 [to the autumn of 1821].</p> + +<p class="smaller">It was not begun till 1830, and <i>many</i> of the facts are from +memory, unassisted by notes taken at the time, though refreshed +generally by reference to some correspondence or document.—V.H.</p> + +</div> + +<p>When I transcribed my notes for Memoirs in +1825, I meant that they should end at the +close of the year 1814. I proposed to confine all +my future labours of the kind to the completion +of two supplementary chapters already begun, one +of which related to foreign characters and events, +and is now brought down to the year 1815,⁠<a id="FNanchor_203" href="#Footnote_203" class="fnanchor">[203]</a> and +the other,⁠<a id="FNanchor_204" href="#Footnote_204" class="fnanchor">[204]</a> still in hand, relates to such as having +fallen within my observation either in England or +elsewhere before 1815, seem to me, albeit unconnected +with politics, not destitute of interest.</p> + +<p>It is not necessary to account, much less to apologise, +for having at one time abandoned a task which I had +voluntarily imposed upon myself. It may with more +reason be expected that I should explain my motives +in resuming it now. The truth is, that the third expulsion +of the Bourbons from France in July, 1830, +has in some little degree revived in my breast the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>spirits and hopes which animated me at an earlier +period of life:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Agnosco veteris vestigia flammæ.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">Moreover, the accession of King William, to whom +my son⁠<a id="FNanchor_205" href="#Footnote_205" class="fnanchor">[205]</a> is attached both by connection and gratitude, +makes it possible that I may be privy to the secret +causes of public and party transactions, although +neither my age, position, nor inclinations render it +likely that I either can or shall take a more active +part in them than I have done for fifteen years past.⁠<a id="FNanchor_206" href="#Footnote_206" class="fnanchor">[206]</a> +Of the events of these fifteen years my report must be +rapid and imperfect. I have taken little share in +party councils during that period, and have preserved +few memorials of the events, especially of the +first five.</p> + +<p>I returned to England in the summer of 1815—the +day, I believe, that the Emperor Napoleon was brought +to our shores in a British man-of-war, and after the +second restoration of the Bourbons had been virtually +effected. To both those restorations it is strange but +true that the personal character and predilections of +George IV. had mainly contributed. On the first +occasion, without the knowledge of Lord Castlereagh +and the Ministers, he connived at, if he did not contrive, +the arrival of the Bourbon Princes at Bordeaux and +other places in France, and during the negotiations +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span>at Chatillon he resorted to many underhand manœuvres +to prevent any termination of them which did not +include the restoration of the pretended legitimate +dynasty.</p> + +<p>To the presence, intrigues, and misrepresentations +of the almost forgotten faction of the Bourbons, as +well as to a variety of mistakes and accidents elsewhere +recounted,⁠<a id="FNanchor_207" href="#Footnote_207" class="fnanchor">[207]</a> the result of the Emperor of Russia’s +arrival at Paris in 1814 is mainly to be attributed. +Austria was averse, Russia was indifferent to, the +restoration of the Bourbons, and Prussia was exclusively +bent on vengeance and aggrandisement; and +the Regent of England was almost the only man in +his own councils, as well as the only Prince in the +Confederacy, really desirous of accomplishing that +object. It is not perhaps equally known, but it is +equally true, that there was, in 1815, equal and greater +indifference in the Allied Powers, amounting to an +unwillingness to confer on Louis XVIII. all the +advantages which the prodigious efforts of Europe +had wrested from his antagonist. The experiences +of one year have given them an insight into the personal +character of the restored Princes, and still more +of the ungrateful and unreasonable faction which +accompanied them. This would have led Austria, +Russia, and Prussia to acquiesce in any arrangement +cheerfully which afforded a prospect of preserving +peace, even though it had altered what is miscalled +the legitimate succession of the Monarchy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span></p> + +<p>The Prince Regent and Duke of Wellington exploded +all such notions. They treated the restoration of +Louis XVIII. as an indispensable part of the arrangement. +The Duke of Wellington asked Louis if he +preferred being placed on his throne by Frenchmen +or by foreigners. He answered, “Decidedly by +Frenchmen.” “Then,” replied Wellington, “there is +but one method and one man: you must employ +Fouché.”⁠<a id="FNanchor_208" href="#Footnote_208" class="fnanchor">[208]</a> Reluctantly, and with a bad grace, Louis +consented. Fouché became Minister. But ere long +Fouché and the base, runaway emigrants whom he +restored affected to be so national that they treated +the foreigners, and even the Duke of Wellington +himself, with indignity. The courtiers and the King +himself turned their backs upon him in so marked a +way that the Duke resented it, and did not return to +the Tuileries till Monsieur (Charles X.) conveyed an +apology to him.⁠<a id="FNanchor_209" href="#Footnote_209" class="fnanchor">[209]</a> He wrote an account of this transaction +home. The letter was among those confided +to and printed by Gurwood (from whom I had the +relation), but suppressed in the publication.</p> + +<p>During my absence from England in 1815, many +changes had occurred in the aspect of the party +with whom I had uniformly acted. Mr. Whitbread, +who had for many years much influence, good +and bad, on its fortunes, had recently put a violent +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>termination to his ever-active but useful existence.⁠<a id="FNanchor_210" href="#Footnote_210" class="fnanchor">[210]</a> +That lamentable event, as well as many of his defects, +might be traced to a restless impatience of contradiction, +which, resulting perhaps from physical causes, +was unaccountably blended in his very singular character +with the earnest affection for individuals and +the most unquestionable benevolence towards mankind. +Too honourable and too conscientious to do +what he thought wrong, he had, nevertheless, such +an appetite for applause, and had been so pampered +with it by dependants and sycophants, that when he +foresaw it was about to cease or to be converted +by many who had administered it into censure and +resistance, he mistook their discontent with him for +self-reproach, and he could not endure it.</p> + +<p>Such was the real history of his suicide. He had +extraordinary readiness and indefatigable application +in business, a warm heart, great decision of character, +and a good understanding. Though not without some +imagination, he was lamentably deficient in taste; yet +by dint of earnestness, assiduity, and practice he had +made himself little less than an orator and certainly +a very able speaker in Parliament. Vanity often +made him impracticable. Flatterers and dependants +engrossed his society, and not unfrequently perverted +his manners and judgment. His death, though a great +loss to the public, and yet more to his neighbourhood +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>and country, was more likely to heal than exasperate +any dissension in Opposition, for he loved to mark +distinctions favourable to his own popularity, and was, +moreover, personally obnoxious to the Grenvilles.</p> + +<p>But there were other alterations in the state of the +party. Our leaders had espoused very opposite +principles on one great branch of commercial policy +which was brought into agitation in 1814 and 1815. +Lauderdale had been the secret instigator, and was +the open champion, of the restrictive Corn Law⁠<a id="FNanchor_211" href="#Footnote_211" class="fnanchor">[211]</a> which +Ministers had adopted. Grey’s real opinion, fortified +and perhaps inculcated by Lauderdale, leant towards +any measure that kept up the price of that article, +and prevented any sudden reduction of rents. Lord +Grenville and Mr. Horner were decidedly friends to +a free trade; and the authority and sound philosophy +of such men, coinciding with the natural prejudices of +the populace and the mischievous clamour of some +seditious writers, constituted a formidable opposition +to a very questionable, as well as unpopular, policy. +Lord Grey, after hesitating between his own and +Lauderdale’s opinion on one side, and a desire of +harassing the Ministry under the sanction of Lord +Grenville on the other, pressed for a postponement +of the question, and steered a course deeply resented +by Lauderdale, not quite agreeable to either party, +nor perhaps entirely creditable to himself.⁠<a id="FNanchor_212" href="#Footnote_212" class="fnanchor">[212]</a> He and +Lord Grenville had differed yet more openly on the +war, the latter reverting to his anti-Jacobin prejudices, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>and Grey maintaining nobly and ably the wisdom and +justice of not interfering. But the war was terminated +by the victory of Waterloo, the occupation of Paris, +the forced restoration of Louis XVIII., and the mass +of treaties negotiated by the Prince Regent, Duke of +Wellington, and Lord Castlereagh, and vainly denominated +by them the final settlement of Europe. +That immediate cause of difference was therefore +extinct. Yet there remained, in truth, between the +Foxite and Grenville branches of Whigs no real bond +of union but a concurrence of opinion on the subject of +Roman Catholics and Ireland, and the recollection +of mutual kindnesses and services during a political +connection of ten years.</p> + +<p>The latter feeling was, I believe, strong in Lord +Grenville’s honourable mind, notwithstanding some +tenacity of opinion for which his family has always +been remarkable, and from which he is not entirely +exempt. It could not be stronger in his mind than +it was in mine, but I am aware that many Whigs, and +among them persons of importance who differed with +him less, felt very soon afterwards much more inclination +to separate from him than myself.</p> + +<p>Lord Grey did not come up to the meeting of +Parliament in 1816. The treaties⁠<a id="FNanchor_213" href="#Footnote_213" class="fnanchor">[213]</a> were discussed +in his absence; but Lord Grenville was so little +disposed to court the Government that he arraigned +without scruple or reserve every fault of omission or +commission he could find in the treaty, and proposed +an amendment which, while it lamented the power +and territory left to France, dwelt yet more emphatically +on the impolicy and danger of keeping a +foreign force in that kingdom, and deprecated the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>necessity created by that measure of maintaining vast +standing armies during peace. For that amendment, +which he had accommodated as far as he could to +my views, I voted. I signed, in common with eleven +peers, a dissentient to its rejection. I moved no +amendment of my own, but having said <i>not content</i> +without directing the House to the original address, +I embodied in a short protest of my own the main +objections to the treaty, namely, that it imposed the +Bourbons on France, and sanctioned the principle +of guaranteeing hereditary monarchies against the +people, for whom and from whom they should alone +derive their authority.</p> + +<p>Many of the transactions at Paris, as well as the +ungenerous treatment of Napoleon, were objectionable +on principle and disgusting to the feelings of all who +had a nature capable of justice or humanity to a fallen +foe. Substantially, if not technically, the merit or +guilt of such acts rests with the Prince Regent and +the Duke of Wellington. If the removal of the works +of art,⁠<a id="FNanchor_214" href="#Footnote_214" class="fnanchor">[214]</a> the demolition of sundry monuments, and +other severe retributions of the kind were after the +capitulation irregular and questionable; if the judicial +murders of Labedoyère and Marshal Ney were direct +violations of the articles of that capitulation; and +if the detention and transportation of a dethroned +and abdicated monarch by a foreign Power be a +breach of the Law of Nations, as well as an unusual +and harsh exercise of power, they will all be more +or less stains on the character of the great General +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>of the Confederacy, as well as on the Governments +who sanctioned and the Ministerial agents who +counselled or perpetrated such acts of violence or +bad faith.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Wellington did not, indeed, instigate, +possibly he did not approve of, these public crimes, +nor was he the official instrument in committing +them.⁠<a id="FNanchor_215" href="#Footnote_215" class="fnanchor">[215]</a> Nothing perhaps but a weak reluctance to +give advice unpleasant to Royalty restrained him +from remonstrating against some of those acts. He +must even then have been aware that they would +tarnish the lustre of his achievements. He had, +indeed, the bad taste on that and many subsequent +occasions to speak loudly in disparagement of Frenchmen,⁠<a id="FNanchor_216" href="#Footnote_216" class="fnanchor">[216]</a> +but bigotry or fanaticism in a cause he is much +too sensible to feel, and personal resentment to Ney +or Napoleon he could have none. He is said to +have censured in private the appointment of Sir +Hudson Lowe to St. Helena, foreseeing from his +knowledge of the character of that gaoler that his +usage of the illustrious prisoner would be neither +humane nor decorous.⁠<a id="FNanchor_217" href="#Footnote_217" class="fnanchor">[217]</a> Such regret, if expressed, +was never conveyed to the quarters where it might +have rectified the mistake and alleviated the sufferings +of the prisoner. Wellington preferred the odium +of abetting the oppression of a great man to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>hazard of losing Royal favour or incurring the resentment +of official pride, by an act of humanity and +generosity. He must abide by the consequences. +History, if she does not brand him as an accessory +in the guilt, will describe him in this instance as +deficient in that magnanimity which is incapable of +it, and which has been so justly extolled in our +Black Prince. That great General, in circumstances +not totally dissimilar, respected, soothed, and interceded +for a fallen competitor or dethroned usurper,⁠<a id="FNanchor_218" href="#Footnote_218" class="fnanchor">[218]</a> +whom the chances of war had placed at his disposal. +With whom the cruel expedient of exiling Napoleon +originated I do not know. I have reasons to believe +that such a destination for him had been contemplated +before he left the Isle of Elba.⁠<a id="FNanchor_219" href="#Footnote_219" class="fnanchor">[219]</a> When +I, in private, upbraided Lord Liverpool with an act +of harshness, so little of a piece with his general +character and policy, he defended himself by the +extreme difficulty of knowing what to do with such +a prisoner.</p> + +<p>The Prince Regent subsequently showed himself +so full of rancour to the very memory of a man who +had eclipsed the glory and assumed, with some of +the vices, all the functions of Royalty, without having +been born or bred to any such pernicious office, that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>the suspicion of posterity will fall chiefly upon him. +Yet his first feeling, or at least his first exclamation, +on receiving the famous letter, by no means bespoke +the hatred he afterwards displayed to the writer! +He is reported to have said, after glancing his eye +over its contents, “Upon my word, a very proper +letter: much more so, I must say, than any I ever +received from Louis XVIII.” This commendation +was extorted neither by the strange singularity of +Napoleon’s fate, by the striking and pathetic selection +of the topics, the apt allusion to Themistocles, or +the short and emphatic style of the epistle, but by +the title “Altesse” with which it commenced, and +which for some reason or another, to me unknown, +our Regent considered as more respectful and more +appropriate to the station he then held than “Monseigneur.” +But though struck with such profound +display of knowledge in etiquette, as none, he deemed, +but <i>porphyrogeniti</i> and Germans could possess, it did +not soften him, or, if it did, the compassion it excited +was very transient indeed. He grudged even the +asylum our laws afforded to the persecuted adherents +of the fallen Emperor. He was cross at the attentions +shown by fashionable society in London to Flahault⁠<a id="FNanchor_220" href="#Footnote_220" class="fnanchor">[220]</a> +and other young men of the late Imperial Court, and +he was bitterly incensed against me because the +Duke of Sussex signed a dissentient to the bill for +the detention of Napoleon Bonaparte.</p> + +<p>The importance he attached to that incident, and +the soreness expressed about it many years afterwards, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>are proofs, among many, of the very trifling, +contracted, and personal view he took of all transactions, +as well [as] of the inaccuracy of the reports +with which his appetite for gossip was generally +supplied. He imagined, or at least asserted, that both +Lady Holland and myself had used very earnest persuasions +to prevail on his brother Augustus to sign +his name, whereas it so happened that from some +little personal motives of vanity, and chiefly at the +request of Lady Holland, I had taken considerable +pains to conceal my entering the protest till it was too +late for him or any other peer to add his name. He, +however, availed himself, contrary to my wishes,⁠<a id="FNanchor_221" href="#Footnote_221" class="fnanchor">[221]</a> of +the third reading to annex by reference his adherence +to the opinion I had recorded.</p> + +<p>The necessity of any bill implied the irregularity +of the whole proceeding. It passed, however, with +little debate in the Session of 1816. Our politicians +had a feverish dread of incurring odium by a +fruitless expression of sympathy for a man, so +long the theme of popular execration in the country. +Mr. Brougham most unnecessarily expressed some +qualified approbation of the measure. I felt on +that, as on some other occasions, the full value of +our privilege of protesting. One has the consolation +of recording one’s principles, without inviting +observation to the shades of difference subsisting +between one’s self and one’s friends. I was, indeed, +told that the step I was taking would be peculiarly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span>offensive to the English public. To the Court it was +so, no doubt: to the people, I believe, far the contrary. +The dispassionate portion of the community would +have been better pleased if a less distant exile and +a milder fate had been reserved for their fallen enemy. +Our people, on this, as on many other occasions, +displayed more delicacy and generosity of sentiment +than their representatives either gave them credit for +or had the courage to exemplify in their own conduct.</p> + +<p>The trial and execution of Marshal Ney and the +papers relating to it, though laid before the House +of Lords, on the motion of Lord St. John, attracted +little notice and no debate in Parliament. It was +apprehended by those who reprobated the proceeding, +that an unsuccessful attempt to stigmatise it as a +crime comparable to that of infamous memory which +brought Jerome of Prague to the stake, might invite +a vote of actual approbation and stamp permanently +on the national character a stain which, as it is, only +tarnishes the fame of a few individuals.⁠<a id="FNanchor_222" href="#Footnote_222" class="fnanchor">[222]</a> The thirst +for revenge which manifestly actuated Louis XVIII. +might perhaps be palliated, and at least was reasonably +accounted for by a reference either to the +Marshal’s private professions to him and his subsequent +violation of them, or to the King’s habitual +and unfeeling cruelty. But it is remarkable that the +very letters of Lord Bathurst and the Duke of +Wellington of July 7 and 15, 1815,⁠<a id="FNanchor_223" href="#Footnote_223" class="fnanchor">[223]</a> which were produced +to justify the construction put upon the 12th +article of the Capitulation by the victors, distinctly +admit and show that a doubt of the meaning of that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>article had occurred to the Prince Regent himself +before he ratified the Convention.</p> + +<p>It is equally clear from those letters that such +doubt was removed from his mind by the explanation +of the Duke of Wellington—that is, by the interpretation +put upon it by one of the signing parties without +any fresh communication with the other. It +results from this simple statement of facts that, by +the admission and almost in the judgment of that +power to which an appeal was afterwards made to +give the milder construction to the 12th article, the +said article was ambiguous and susceptible of two +interpretations. But another article of the same +treaty, namely, the 15th, contains the following +words: “If difficulties arise in the execution of <i>any +one</i> of the articles of the present Convention, the +interpretation of it shall be made in favour of the +French Army and of the City of Paris.” Difficulties +did arise in the execution of the 12th article. The +construction which the ratifying party apprehended +was put upon it by one of the weaker party, and the +benefit of the doubt under the 15th article was claimed +by that party. Yet “the interpretation was not made +in favour” of, but to the injury and murder of a +Marshal of the Army, and an inhabitant of Paris!</p> + +<p>I was, I own, deeply affected by the merits of +this case at the time, not only from compassion +for the sufferers, but from a sincere dread of the +disgrace which would attach to the English General +and to the English name, if so just a claim for our +intercession were resisted. I ventured to write +to Lord Kinnaird,⁠<a id="FNanchor_224" href="#Footnote_224" class="fnanchor">[224]</a> then living in intimacy with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span>the Duke of Wellington, on the subject; and in +the persuasion that my letter would arrive long +before the irrevocable moment of his execution, I +urged him to communicate my reasons and feelings +to his powerful friend. The letter is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Middleton</span>, <i>Dec. 5, 1816</i>.</p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Dear Kinnaird</span>,</p> + +<p>What is passing at Paris annoys me more than +I can well describe. For La Valette,⁠<a id="FNanchor_225" href="#Footnote_225" class="fnanchor">[225]</a> on the score +of private acquaintance, though slight, I am much +concerned; but, from the regard to the character of +our country and to that of the Duke of Wellington +(in whom, after the great things he has done, even +as decided an opponent of the war as myself must +feel some national interest), I have conceived more +horror at the trials and executions going on in the +teeth of our Capitulation than mere humanity could +create.</p> + +<p>How can such a man as Wellington assert that +the impunity for political conduct extends only to +impunity from the Allies for offences committed +against them? When ships strike, when garrisons +surrender, do the captains or commanders stipulate +that the foreign conqueror shall not molest them +for their political exertions? With or without +such stipulations, what shadow of right has a foreign +enemy to punish individuals for opinions held or +conduct pursued in their own country? It is clear +the impunity promised was impunity for crimes, real +or supposed, against a French Government. If the +French Government was a party to that promise, by +that promise it must abide; if not, the other Allies are +bound in honour not to deliver over a town taken in +virtue of it without exacting the same terms from +those to whom they deliver it. Such perhaps is the +formal, technical way of putting the argument. Practically +and substantially the case, if not more striking, +is yet more conclusive to men of justice and honour. +The Allies have virtually (I might say formally too) +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span>been masters of Paris, while the persons who delivered +it to them, on the faith of impunity for +political offences,⁠<a id="FNanchor_226" href="#Footnote_226" class="fnanchor">[226]</a> have for political offences been +imprisoned, tried, condemned, and executed!</p> + +<p>Wellington has himself precluded all doubt on the +question. He maintains in his letter to Lord Castlereagh +that there is no article in the Capitulation +securing to the town of Paris the pictures and +statues, and thereupon he argues; and he acts upon +his argument that the Allies may seize the pictures, +etc., etc., and seize them without any fresh or formal +cession from Louis XVIII. Up to that time, then, the +Allies, according to him, were in military possession +of Paris; and up to that time therefore, even upon +his own view of the subject, the inhabitants were +entitled to claim impunity for all political opinions +and conduct. Those who had the right and the power +of taking forcibly from Paris property not specified +or disposed of in the Capitulation, notwithstanding +the nominal Government of Louis XVIII., must surely +have a right to enforce on any such nominal and +dependent Government the observance of promises +on the faith of which the inhabitants had surrendered +the town. Technical arguments may possibly be +urged on both sides; and though they appear to +me all in favour of Ney’s claim, it is <i>not</i> on them +I lay the stress, but on the obvious and practical +aspect of the transaction as it must strike impartial +men and posterity. The plain relation of the events +in history will be this. A promise of security was +held out to the inhabitants of Paris: they surrendered +the town; and while Wellington and the Allies were +still really in possession of it, Labedoyère was executed, +and Ney was tried for political opinion and +conduct. Even of subsequent executions, and I fear +there will be many, it will be said, “The Allies +delivered over their authority in Paris to a French +Government, without exacting an observance of the +stipulations on which they had originally acquired it.”</p> + +<p>Had we taken Martinique in ’93 or ’94 on a promise +of not molesting individuals for political opinions or +conduct, should we have been at liberty to cede it, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>had Louis XVIII. been then restored, without insisting +on the impunity of all political offences, or, +at the very least, on the right of leaving the country +for such as might have so offended? In Egypt the +French stipulated that no natives should be molested +for their conduct or opinions during the war. We +took military possession of the country on those +terms, and then delivered it over to the political +authority of the Ottoman Porte. When, however, +the Captain Pacha, acting under that authority, began +murdering the Beys and proceeding against the +adherents of the French, we not only remonstrated +and threatened, but actually protected the persecuted +men within our lines. Yet by reference to the history +of those times, you will find that many blamed Lord +Hutchinson,⁠<a id="FNanchor_227" href="#Footnote_227" class="fnanchor">[227]</a> for not having recourse to yet more +violent methods to enforce on the “legitimate political +authority” the observance of engagements entered +into by our military power on taking military possession +of the country. Lord Nelson’s conduct at Naples +was indeed different: but what is the impression +left of those transactions? Will Wellington condescend +to accept the only palliation ever offered for +Nelson, though a man in all other respects so justly +beloved, <i>viz.</i>, blind, bigoted zeal and a very narrow +capacity on every subject not connected with his own +profession. What would Wellington himself have +said, if the British troops had surrendered any town +in Spain to the French with a similar stipulation, and +if on the flimsy and hypocritical subterfuge of a +distinction between Joseph’s Spanish Government and +the French military authorities, all the Spaniards +who had assisted us during the siege had been +prosecuted for treason against Joseph? Yet where +is the distinction?</p> + +<p>The worst is, that as nothing but Wellington’s +name could carry down so foul a transaction, so +the whole odium of the breach of faith will fall on +him and him only. He signed, he interpreted the +Capitulation; <i>and when a construction of a doubtful +passage might have saved one of the first officers of the +age, he gave it the meaning least favourable to the conquered +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span>party, and left a man with whom he had once +coped in the field of honourable war to be taken off by +the hands of the executioner.</i></p> + +<p>The want of principle and consistency and the +disgusting changes of the Marshals have, I know, +steeled men’s minds to their sufferings. This is +natural enough. But when the violence of the times +is gone by, and, above all, when the tomb has closed +on their offences, the transaction will be judged with +reference to the character of Wellington and to the +nature of his promise, not to the conduct or misconduct +of the sufferers.</p> + +<p class="center">Si ego digna in quam faceres, tu tamen indignus qui feceris, Pamphile.</p> + +<p>Nor is this all. If we judge by former instances, +even the crime itself will be regarded with more indulgence +by posterity than any irregular mode of +punishing it. Allowance for individuals is made in +all great changes. It is difficult in sudden emergencies +and great convulsions of State, especially for professional +men whose lives have been passed in +camps, to weigh maturely all the considerations by +which their conduct should, in the strict line of duty, +be regulated. Unforeseen cases occur, and men +even of good principles and understanding are +hurried into acts of inconsistency and political immorality. +History is full of such instances, and in +our own the name of one, with whom Wellington +himself cannot dislike being associated, brings them +to our recollection. Marlborough abandoned, in his +King, a benefactor and protector, betrayed the person +who placed great confidence in him, and did so +when the opinions of his friends and party were, to +say the least, divided, and not unanimous in favour +of the step he took.</p> + +<p>These men deserted a standard to which they +were recently, reluctantly, and barely reconciled; +under which they were regarded with suspicion by +their Government, with hatred and reproach by +their fellow soldiers, and they went over to their +ancient companion in arms and victory—to one +from whom they had derived rank, property, character, +and importance. They did so, too, when all +the military feeling of their country was decidedly +in unison with the cause they espoused. A stoic, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span>a philosopher, a man whose public principles are +stronger than his private affections, gratitude, or +vanity, might perhaps have acted otherwise, and +from strict regard to his honour, once given, have +sacrificed his fortunes, his favour, and popularity +with those to whom he was obliged, to support a +cause in which he found himself engaged against +his interests and inclinations. I own, however (you +will perhaps reckon me lax for thinking so), that +any military man who was to lay his hand on his +heart and say that he would have done so, would +give me a much higher opinion of his present +prudence than of his self-knowledge and candour.</p> + +<p>In this latter view of the subject, I know I am somewhat +singular. Few at present make such allowances +for the political tergiversations of the Marshals, and +many, more indulgent than I am in their judgment +of political apostasy in England, are quite outrageous +with Frenchmen for not acting with inflexible +principle in the most trying and difficult circumstances. +Some, however, among the most indignant +at their crimes, yet doubt the justice, policy, and +safety of punishing them; and more, especially among +the moderate of all parties, think the claim of the +Capitulation conclusive, or if not quite so, of a +nature questionable enough to induce Wellington, +for the preservation of his own and the national +character, to give it the construction most favourable +to the weaker party. My opinion is of no importance, +but it is so strong that I could not resist expressing +it to you, who have access to those whose character +is most interested in forming a sound one upon this +very important subject. I have not spoken of +La Valette. All my arguments apply in his favour +as strongly as in Ney’s, and surely he is not, as +the other may be, any object of a bystander’s indignation. +He seems an honourable man throughout.</p> + +<p class="center">Yours ever truly,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Vassall Holland</span>.</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>The above letter arrived too late. Marshal Ney +had perished the day before. Lord Kinnaird somewhat +injudiciously showed the Duke of Wellington +the letter. The truths contained in it were probably +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>by that time, and have been since, very unpleasant +to him. He affected to take umbrage at a passage,⁠<a id="FNanchor_228" href="#Footnote_228" class="fnanchor">[228]</a> +which he erroneously supposed was intended to convey +an imputation upon him as jealous or fearful of the +military superiority of Marshal Ney. When I met +him two years afterwards at Paris, he would not +speak to me. This sort of distance continued, till +our common friend, General Alava,⁠<a id="FNanchor_229" href="#Footnote_229" class="fnanchor">[229]</a> persuaded us to +renew the slight intercourse which had formerly +subsisted between us. We exchanged visits; he dined +with me, and subsequent differences in politics have +not interrupted the interchange of civility between us.</p> + +<p>I remember him, though he is older than myself, +at Eton. He was in no way distinguished there. +Soon afterwards, both in his regiment and in Ireland, +he was, perhaps from contrast with his elder brother, +reckoned below mediocrity. In Dublin Castle his +companions treated him as a good-humoured, insignificant +youth; and in India he was thought to +require all Lord Wellesley’s affection and interest +to screen him even from disgrace.⁠<a id="FNanchor_230" href="#Footnote_230" class="fnanchor">[230]</a> It is said that +the compliance or good nature of Sir John Harris, +on one occasion, procured him the peerage, which he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span>certainly owed exclusively to Lord Wellesley’s recommendation. +That warning, however, if it was as +serious as it is represented, roused the faculties of +Arthur Wellesley. From that period he devoted +himself to business and his profession. He rose +rapidly through the gradations of a good officer +and useful man of business to much consideration +both in the State and the Army. He showed great +discretion, temper, and judgment in defence of his +brother against an impeachment in 1806, and in the +following year he was designated by Lord Grenville +to command a large expedition to Mexico. He soon +afterwards began his career in Portugal.</p> + +<p>My opinion of him was formed very early. He +is not only a very capable and useful, but he is a +great, fortunate, and extraordinary man, both in +politics and in war. No one ever possessed greater +dexterity in adapting his means to his ends. His want +of any remarkable exterior accomplishments only +renders this faculty more wonderful. It is possible +that his wisdom may not be of the most enlarged +and comprehensive, and certainly not of the most +refined and delicate kind; but it is so unerring on +all great occasions that it partakes at least of the +character of genius. Then his apprehension is quick, +his sagacity marvellous, his application indefatigable, +and his decision and courage unfailing. Even his +defects turn to account. A certain insensibility, real +or assumed, gives his judgment uninterrupted scope +for its exertion; and habitual carelessness and inaccuracy +in language, disarming criticism in public, +has often procured him advantages in his private intercourse +with politicians, which are seldom supposed +to be attainable but by qualities of a more exceptionable +character. It is, indeed, rare for a man of sense, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span>education, and spirit to be more destitute of taste, wit, +grace, or imagination. But he affects none of them, +and is often humble or adroit enough to profit by the +allowance made for their absence. He loves to display +a knowledge of details, even when he possesses it +very imperfectly; but, in general, his conversation and +manners have the ineffable charm of unassuming +simplicity. Though he is very close and his designs +quite impenetrable, he speaks of past transactions +with great readiness and ease, and has all the air +of being frank and communicative. He has not +quick or delicate feelings, and generosity is not the +chief ingredient in his composition.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, he has few bad passions, and +can subdue them effectually when his interests, or +even his convenience, require it. Good-humoured, +however, as he seems in social life, he is said to +be often indifferent and even harsh to inferiors,⁠<a id="FNanchor_231" href="#Footnote_231" class="fnanchor">[231]</a> +which, if true, is a trait not rendered less unamiable +by the proof which his demeanour with equals affords, +that he can control his dislikes, conceal his chagrin, +stifle his resentments, and command his temper when +he chooses. His vanity, I have sometimes thought, +exceeds his ambition; for he has occasionally seemed +to prefer the appearance to the reality of doing +whatever he likes. Opinions and principles may +possibly sit rather loosely upon a soldier. Like his +own warhorse, he may care little what troops he leads +or what cause he serves, so that <i>He</i>, richly caparisoned +in the front, be the chief pageant of the show and reap +the benefit of the victory and the grace of the triumph.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span></p> + +<p>It must be also admitted that all public men who +have an appetite for power occasionally cede some +portion of consistency and opinion, and some predilections +and connections, to expediency and success; +but where others have made one sacrifice of the sort, +the Duke of Wellington seemed at one time to lead +whole hecatombs to the shrine. The cheerfulness +with which he went through that unpleasant ceremony +created a malicious inference that he did not value +the State more, but political principles and friendships +somewhat less, than his predecessors and contemporaries. +His character was so interpreted during +one period of his life, and especially in 1828 and 1829, +by many of his contemporaries. But the subsequent +publication of his correspondence, as well as his +temperate and measured conduct both in and out +of office, have since proved that he can sacrifice all +selfish views and even his vanity and predilections +to public principles, and that although generosity +is not supreme she is yet not excluded from the mind +where justice and prudence predominate.</p> + +<p>He was not, at the time of which I am now treating, +connected with the purest or most stoical of public +men. Lord Castlereagh perhaps never entirely lost +sight of certain good objects he had been taught +to value in his Whig or reforming days,⁠<a id="FNanchor_232" href="#Footnote_232" class="fnanchor">[232]</a> but he was +at the best but a temporising politician, and the +unusual honours he had recently received at Courts +and in Congresses had almost turned his head. It +required, to use a metaphor of Mr. Frere, the strong +currycomb of the House of Commons to scrape off +the lacquer with which he had been varnished at +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span>Vienna; and there is reason to think that the rough +discipline he experienced, on his return, irritated +and wounded him so much that he never recovered +his natural serenity of temper and that coolness of +judgment which had hitherto constituted the chief +merit of his character. On his first arrival from +abroad the year before, incense such as he was +accustomed to in foreign Courts seemed reserved +for him here. He was greeted by a long and unusual +cheer as he entered the House of Commons. But +short lived were such triumphs. The dread of the +Property Tax⁠<a id="FNanchor_233" href="#Footnote_233" class="fnanchor">[233]</a> produced innumerable petitions, and +the indefatigable genius of Mr. Brougham, who, +through the influence of Lord Grey and Lord Thanet, +had returned to Parliament, allowed scarce one to +be presented without an exposure of the policy and +a derision of the capacity of the Minister. House +and country were thus enflamed against that great +act of confiscation, as it was hyperbolically called +in the publications of the day. The Bill was rejected. +The Minister, lowered as he was by his inferiority +as an orator and the defeat of his great financial +measure, yet determined to maintain his post.</p> + +<p>Thus a Cabinet was continued, divided in sentiment +on the great domestic question of Catholic Emancipation +and defeated by a House of Commons on their +favourite scheme of finance. Such a surrender of the +functions of a Ministry to a Court, combined with +such an acknowledgment of their want of authority +in Parliament, effected practically a more violent +change in the nature of our Government than many +measures which lawyers and historians stigmatise as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span>innovations. Whether the result will be beneficial or +injurious to the Commonwealth, time alone can show. +It would require no great ingenuity to trace many +phenomena which have since perplexed, and some which +do still perplex, our political system, to that original. +But mine is a narrative and not a dissertation.</p> + +<p>The fruits of that victory over Ministers, which had +been gained in a great measure by the exertions of +Mr. Brougham, were thrown away by the imprudence +of that same powerful but unmanageable member of +Opposition. On some trivial occasion he launched +out into an unseasonable invective against the habits, +expenses, and personal qualities of the Prince Regent. +This diatribe, deserved or undeserved, would, at all +times, have been too coarse for the taste of the +assembly in which it was delivered; and at that +particular period it had the effect of estranging many +members, who had been recently softened towards the +Whigs by voting with them against the Property Tax. +Mr. Ponsonby was grieved, Mr. Tierney appalled, at +the fresh instance of indiscretion. It was the more +unaccountable because Brougham had during that +Session evinced more disposition to concert with the +party than he had affected for some years. He had +even resumed his habits with me, after an absence from +my house of six years, upon an understanding that he +should be received as if we had parted in the morning.⁠<a id="FNanchor_234" href="#Footnote_234" class="fnanchor">[234]</a> +His jealousy of Mr. Horner had somewhat abated. I +should be loth to suspect that he had even then +detected the seeds of a disease which were to bring +that excellent man shortly to the grave, and that foreseeing +the untimely removal of his rival, he was +willing to conciliate those whom he had avoided from +jealousy of an early friend.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span></p> + +<p>Whatever were his secret motives or public extravagances, +he, and still more Sir Samuel Romilly, +rose greatly in estimation as Parliamentary speakers +in the course of 1816. Lord Castlereagh, who had felt +the want of support, was not averse to secure it even +in the person of one whom he hated—Mr. Canning. +That gentleman had submitted to be employed by him +at Lisbon in 1814, tempted, it was said, by large emoluments, +and impelled by the vexations which a +discontented and precarious set of adherents out of +office created him at home.⁠<a id="FNanchor_235" href="#Footnote_235" class="fnanchor">[235]</a> He accepted, on his return, +the Board of Control. The selection of that place +seemed to indicate that neither he nor his employers +thought constant or familiar intercourse any very +binding cement to their new connection. The Prince +Regent also, in all probability, preferred at that time +an arrangement which required no personal interviews +between him and the new member of the Cabinet. +Mr. Canning had, indeed, advised the Princess of +Wales to absent herself, and that absence was +agreeable enough to the Prince Regent; but the +circumstances which gave any advice from him to the +Princess great weight could not be equally so. I +have myself heard the Prince Regent more than +insinuate causes for such ascendancy, which would +not have led him to anticipate much comfort or ease in +any frequent intercourse with her adviser.</p> + +<p>No man was so well qualified as Mr. Canning to +cope in debate with the established as well as rising +orators in Opposition. It was prudent, therefore, in +Lord Liverpool to suggest, and equally so in Lord +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span>Castlereagh to acquiesce in, a junction which placed so +brilliant a speaker in the front of their battle; nor was +it less so in Mr. Canning to accept of a post on their +side, without stickling for what is calling the “lead” +in the House of Commons. His talents were sure +ere long to overshadow those of his nominal chief +but real rival. There was no party of followers who +could feel their honour wounded at his taking a +station comparatively subordinate, and he had, moreover, +already descended from his vantage-ground by +the more hazardous acceptance of his Lisbon mission +from and under Lord Castlereagh. It is not, however, +to be denied that his condescension on those +two occasions lowered him for a time in public +estimation. It required several fortunate incidents, +as well as the resources of application and genius +which he had at command, to regain that station +to which his abilities and character fairly entitled +him.</p> + +<p>About the time that he resumed a seat in Council +and Parliament, the person whose example and precepts +had in earlier days enflamed his ambition and +improved his talents, Mr. Sheridan, was closing a +career more fit,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">To point a moral and adorn a tale,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">than to exercise the pen of those who, like myself, have +shared some portion of his friendship, enjoyed his +society, and retain regard for his memory. Nothing +but a sense of justice to others could induce me to +inflict any on him. Mr. Canning had the gratification +of offering some pecuniary assistance, and what was, +in truth, more real service, as well as more agreeable +to him, of paying some attention to his early friend in +his last sickness and adversity. The want of such +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span>attentions from some great names, and from the Prince +Regent in particular, no doubt cut him to the quick. +It was perhaps a theme on which his biographer was +fairly entitled to moralise. But when Mr. Moore +censures the opulent and titled companions of Mr. +Sheridan’s happier days for not relieving him from +his pecuniary embarrassments, I, whom he almost +as inaccurately excepts from his censure, am bound +to say that it is unjust. To my knowledge, some aid +of that nature was offered, and more was possibly +accepted than his biographer relates or than his +benefactors ever wished to have recorded.</p> + +<p>That the real amount of his debts was small is, I +believe, correctly true; but that it was so is not less +strange than true. The inference that therefore +an advance of a sum equal to the debts would +have relieved him from his distresses may seem +plausible; but a little reflection on the real state of +the case and on the character of Mr. Sheridan will +show it to be erroneous. His debts, though reported +to be enormous, might be of inconsiderable amount,⁠<a id="FNanchor_236" href="#Footnote_236" class="fnanchor">[236]</a> but +they were of a most complicated nature, and known +only to himself. Without his assistance it would +have been impossible, with it not easy, to ascertain +their extent. He would never have assisted any +inquiry, or complied with any limitation or arrangement +to secure the application of the money so raised +exclusively to his creditors. Had he even consented +to co-operate (which, if my memory does not mislead +me, he above once refused to do), his inveterate habits +of subterfuges and mis-statement were such that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span>little truth could have been ascertained, and none +without affronting and mortifying him.</p> + +<p>In such circumstances, to impute want of generosity +or dereliction of friendship to those who hesitated to +afford him pecuniary aid, and much more to such as +merely omitted to come forward for the purpose of +incurring expense in a thankless and impracticable +undertaking, is manifest and gross injustice. The +same man who would cheerfully sacrifice a thousand +pounds to save a friend from permanent distress +might very consistently withhold a hundred which +would merely postpone his arrest for a week. But +Sheridan’s mind was so perversely constituted that +he would have received without scruple the latter +boon from a common acquaintance, but would never +have pardoned a brother for conferring the former, +if he had exacted any co-operation or any unpleasant +acknowledgments as the condition of it.</p> + +<p>It is exceedingly painful to chronicle the infirmities +of Sheridan’s character and the faults of Mr. Moore’s +book. But that lively, popular, and warm-hearted +writer, in his zeal to exalt his countryman, takes +facts for granted, and then draws hasty conclusions, +not only unfair to our aristocracy (in whose defence +I am nowise interested), but injurious to that association +of public men to whom Mr. Sheridan, as well +as myself, professed himself attached, and of whom +I have, in a manner, constituted myself the historian. +The injustice of those inferences can only be exposed +by recording the failings that really disqualified Mr. +Sheridan for a station to which his intellectual +powers, as well as many other endowments, would +have entitled him among his contemporaries.</p> + +<p>It was neither Irish birth nor low extraction (as +Mr. Moore not very covertly insinuates) that excluded +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span>Mr. Burke or Mr. Sheridan from a pre-eminence +attained by Lord North, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Pitt, in +their respective parties. Mr. Burke, albeit abounding +in knowledge, zeal, and genius, and of far less questionable +honour and integrity, had yet so little judgment +in debate and so little command of his temper +in council or in society, that it was at all times a +problem whether he did more harm or good to the +side which he espoused. Had he been placed at the +head of a party, he would have been left without +followers in the course of a year. Such is, at least, +a fair inference from his mismanagement of the impeachment +of Hastings and his conduct during the +absence of Mr. Fox, in the King’s illness, in 1788. On +the latter occasion, in less than six weeks he had +ceased to be on speaking terms with any man of +consequence in the party. His intemperate language, +more than any other circumstance, enabled Mr. Pitt +to rivet his popularity by an unconstitutional restriction +on the prerogatives and a personal stigma +on the Heir-Apparent of the Crown.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sheridan, although far more disposed to covet +and better qualified to acquire popularity, was yet less +likely to attain the permanent confidence of a body +of independent English gentlemen. I do not speak +merely of his dissipation and intemperate habits, +though towards the close of his life amounting almost +to disqualifications; but there were others of a graver +nature, such as not even his fascinating manners and +exquisite wit (for the attainment of special and +immediate purposes almost irresistible) could, in any +protracted commerce or relationship with him, counterbalance. +Those who enjoyed his society most and +knew him best, even while they retained affection +for him, were compelled to acknowledge that jealousy +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span>of disposition, delight in artifice and contrivance, and +a proneness to gratify his own vanity with disregard +to the feelings and reputation of other men, and, +above all, an occasional indifference to truth, rendered +any habitual reliance on his conduct preposterous +in the extreme. The irregularities and mortifications +of his early life and education may, in a great degree, +palliate such defects in his moral character; but there +is no denying them, and the injudicious endeavour to +ascribe all their consequences to the injustice of others +has compelled me to record them. His father,⁠<a id="FNanchor_237" href="#Footnote_237" class="fnanchor">[237]</a> a famous +actor, was a harsh, unjust, and needy man, generally +negligent and at times vexatious to his children. He +seems to have been jealous of his son’s talents. None +of them, if we except the power of bitter sarcasm, +were inherited from him. That unamiable faculty he +must, indeed, have possessed, if it be true that, on its +being remarked how wonderful was the delineation +of opposite characters in the <i>School for Scandal</i>, he +replied: “Richard had only to dip his pen in his +own heart, and he had both Joseph and Charles.” +His mother,⁠<a id="FNanchor_238" href="#Footnote_238" class="fnanchor">[238]</a> the authoress of <i>Sidney Bidulph</i>, was a +gentle, virtuous, clever, and unhappy woman. She +died abroad of a consumption; and her sufferings +were aggravated by hard usage from her husband +and anxiety about her absent and neglected children.</p> + +<p>The salary for Richard Brinsley’s education at +Harrow, where he had been left, was irregularly +paid. He was slighted by the masters and tormented +by the boys, as a poor player’s son. I have heard +him relate, with tears in his eyes,⁠<a id="FNanchor_239" href="#Footnote_239" class="fnanchor">[239]</a> that he never met +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>with kindness at school but from Dr. Parr.⁠<a id="FNanchor_240" href="#Footnote_240" class="fnanchor">[240]</a> He was +soon afterwards removed to Bath. His father had +a project of establishing a school of rhetoric there, +and destined his son to be one of his ushers. The +scheme failed, and the intended usher commenced +a man of wit and gallantry.</p> + +<p>The adventures of that part of his life are, I +believe, correctly recounted by Moore. He used to +relate a scene with his father, about this period, +somewhat less romantic than ludicrous. The retired +actor was in the habit of haranguing his two sons +after supper on the consequences of drunkenness +and the motives which had induced him to renounce +that vice and avoid all excess in wine. To enforce +his precepts he denied them all access to his bottle, +but he filled and emptied his own glass so frequently +in the earnestness of discourse, that ere the lecture +on sobriety was finished the two disciples were +compelled to convey the professor of that virtue +drunk to bed.</p> + +<p>His long confinement from illness in Soho Square +was the only period of his life in which he devoted +himself to reading or study. He had no great +appetite for general knowledge. Endowed as he +was with the powers of memory and observation, +he had less learning than the common run of well-educated +men in society. He was conscious of +his deficiency; yet he sought to make it appear +greater than it really was, and concealed the information +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span>he had, with the hopes of giving to +his wit and eloquence (often very elaborate) the air +of genius and inspiration. He managed this so well +that his pleasantry and replies appeared to common +acquaintance sudden sallies excited by the occasion, +and even to those who suspected them to be studied, +tinctured with a sort of archness and complacency at +the opportunity of introducing them, which lent them +fresh relish, and added to their effect in society.</p> + +<p>He was almost as wonderful in his physical constitution +as in his intellectual powers. He seemed +built for longevity; and no man was better made to +bear fatigue, labour, or debauch. Even in hearing +and seeing he had the advantage of other people. +Vain as he was, he, in words and manner and sometimes +in actions, acknowledged the superiority of +Mr. Fox,⁠<a id="FNanchor_241" href="#Footnote_241" class="fnanchor">[241]</a> and even liked his society as much as he +could that of any man who had advantages over him. +He was, in short, less jealous of him than he would +have been of another in the same situation. The +unaffected admiration which he knew Mr. Fox entertained +and professed for his wit, eloquence, and +writings, in some measure disarmed his malignity.</p> + +<p>The truth is, that although vindictive where his +vanity had been wounded, he was not an ill-natured +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>man. He could pardon an injury more readily than a +slight, and either, I fear I must add, more easily than a +great obligation. To inferiors he was not merely civil +and serviceable, but he was kind and considerate. +Where his own self-love was no wise concerned, he +was disposed to soothe that of others, and that, too, in +cases where he could have no view of courting +popularity. Even on his death-bed, the old woman +put into the house by his creditors was so won by his +anxiety lest she should lose her dinner by waiting +on him, that she contracted an attachment for him as +strong as if she had attended him from his childhood.</p> + +<p>I saw him at that period. Enough transpired, even +in those moments of distress, to show that any attempt +to relieve him from his embarrassments would have been +fruitless, all concert with him for such a purpose impracticable, +and any reliance on his assertions hazardous +in the extreme. Mrs. Sheridan assured me that in his +last illness he professed much contrition for his sins, +and Dr. Howley, Bishop of London,⁠<a id="FNanchor_242" href="#Footnote_242" class="fnanchor">[242]</a> unquestionably +attended and read prayers to him, while he folded his +hands, being unable to speak. Mrs. Sheridan, indeed, +related other circumstances in proof of the sincerity +of his repentance and earnestness for forgiveness; but +the Archbishop’s recollection by no means confirmed +them, and her anxious wishes or general knowledge +of Mr. Sheridan’s opinion might lead her somewhat +hastily to believe them. It is true, however, that he +always affected a sense of religion, and if some traits +of superstition are proofs of such feeling, he was not +exempt from them. The pious love to infer the truth +of religion from the compunction of persons of +irregular habits on their death-beds. Where the case +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span>occurs, religion has a right to such argument as it +supplies. It would be unjust to withhold any credible +testimony to the fact, when it occurs. I believe Mr. +Sheridan died with strong religious apprehensions on +his mind; but what does that prove? That a sense of +religion may exist, where the moral virtues it inculcates +are habitually neglected.</p> + +<p>Of the brilliancy of wit and fascination of manner, +which made one forget in his society so many and +such grievous faults, I have spoken more than once +in the preceding chapters and elsewhere. My pen +has been reluctantly employed here in tracing the +darker shades of his portrait, from an apprehension +that the false glitter thrown over them might injure +the truth of the more general picture of public men, +which I have endeavoured faithfully to delineate.</p> + +<p>But let me not close so painful a judgment on a +man whose genius has often delighted me, without +reminding my readers that no Englishman since +the time of Edmund Waller has so indisputably +attained excellence in the three branches of conversation, +composition, and oratory, as the person whose +defects I have been thus compelled to recall. His +best speeches recalled in fame and effect those of +Mr. Fox, Mr. Pitt, Lord North, or Mr. Canning. +If they had not the characteristic excellencies of Mr. +Burke, Mr. Windham, or Mr. Grattan, they far surpassed +in effect, though not in genius, the happiest +efforts of those three eccentric men. Many years +after the Begum speech in the House of Commons, +Mr. Fox pronounced it to be the best ever delivered +within the walls of Parliament, and Mr. Pitt is reported +to have been of the same opinion.⁠<a id="FNanchor_243" href="#Footnote_243" class="fnanchor">[243]</a> Indeed, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span>he implied as much, by unexpectedly assenting to +the motion with which it concluded. Other speakers +of his age have shone in written composition; but +what modern orator but Sheridan ever produced a +masterpiece in any literature? Burke’s best work +holds not the same relation to common political +pamphlets or ordinary metaphysical disputations, as +the <i>School for Scandal</i> bears to the comedies on +our stage. If the conversation of Fox, Windham, +or Grattan abounded more with philosophy and +knowledge, and if it was occasionally as varied and +delightful as Mr. Sheridan’s, yet it was not so well +adapted to the taste of all classes, nor so remarkable +for playful satire and vivacity, for quick discernment +and well-bred exposure of individual character. +FitzPatrick, Hare, Lord John Townshend, and others +more nearly his rivals in that respect, never aspired +to the fame of leading orators or classical authors. +It was reserved for Sheridan to be brilliant alike in +the club, the theatre, and the senate. If we must +acknowledge in some features of Pope’s inimitable +portrait of Wharton a resemblance to the prominent +blemishes of Sheridan, we may yet with confidence +aver that the poet, in recording the genius and versatility +of the “wonder of the age,” falls far short of +the splendour and variety which dazzled and delighted +the theatre, the Parliament, and the public in our +own contemporary—Mr. Sheridan.</p> + +<p>In this same year of 1816 died another friend, whom +I had found in the ranks of Opposition, if not in the +party of the Whigs, thirty years before—Charles, third +Earl Stanhope. I have spoken of him at length in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span>the first Book of these notes.⁠<a id="FNanchor_244" href="#Footnote_244" class="fnanchor">[244]</a> The House of Lords, +in spite of his eccentricities, and I, perhaps in consequence +of them, regretted his loss, and missed +the originality with which he seldom failed to enliven +our debates. It fell to my lot as his legatee and +executor to compose the inscription on his monument +in Chevening, and I have the satisfaction of thinking +that I have there recorded the peculiarity for which +he would most like to be distinguished, without +wounding the feelings of his family who had some +reason to be hurt both at his conduct and his will.⁠<a id="FNanchor_245" href="#Footnote_245" class="fnanchor">[245]</a> +The present Lord told me very handsomely that +he always read it with pleasure, for there was not +a word in it that was not true.</p> + +<p>The forwardness in person, character, and understanding +of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, and the +dread lest her mother might contrive for her or she +devise for herself an alliance or something worse, +induced the Court to look out for a marriage for her, +soon after the proposal of the Prince of Orange had +been rejected. The alleged motives of that rejection +led to the reasonable preference of a Prince unfettered +with any duties which would call him away from +England. The Duke and Duchess of York and Lord +Anglesey suggested, as I believe, the Prince Leopold +of Saxe-Coburg; and some pardonable contrivances, +powerfully aided by the very handsome person of +the Prince himself, secured the full acquiescence of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span>the young lady. Much of the curiosity which the +story of his courtship might have excited is destroyed +by the death of his Royal consort next year, an +event which produced a sensation more flattering to +the memory of the young Princess than to her surviving +relations, and more illustrative of the strength +of the passion of hope than of loyalty.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="illus6" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus6.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><i>Charles, 3rd Earl Stanhope</i></p> + <p><i>J. Opie, R.A. Pinx.</i> + <span class="spacer"><i>Emery Walker Ph. Sc.</i></span></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Among the marriages of the Royal Family which +followed was one between the Duke of Kent and +the widowed sister of Prince Leopold. That alliance +may in its results revive the importance of Prince +Leopold, to all appearance suddenly extinguished in +this country in 1817. On his marriage in 1816, an +enormous annuity of £50,000 per annum was granted +him. He was also given, by an Act of Parliament, +all the rights, except that of succession to the throne, +which attach to a descendant of the Princess Sophia. +He, with over-caution, declined a peerage: George IV. +was afterwards little disposed to renew the offer. +Personal beauty and circumspection were at that time +Leopold’s most vaunted qualifications. The vulgar +thought him, in his capacity of needy German Prince, +and without much further proof, sordid and rapacious. +The visible improvement of his Royal bride, in the +course of the few months she was destined to live, +gained him the credit of acquiring, by discretion and +sagacity, great ascendancy over her mind. Whether +his instructions or further experience would ever have +enabled her to fulfil the somewhat extravagant +expectations entertained by the people may be left to +a chapter in that science termed <i>media scientia</i>, which +the schoolmen describe as inscrutable to the Deity +himself.</p> + +<p>The great virtues of Princes and Princesses who +die young have frequently been the object of pleasantry, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span>and it cannot be denied that the sudden extinction of +an existence full of hope, in the person of a young +and pretty bride, was well calculated to mislead the +best feelings of the country into such an illusion. +Yet, in the judgment of sobriety, little had appeared +in this young lady to justify the inordinate grief at +her death. She was pretty and she was gay; nor +had she betrayed any propensities to remind men of +her mother. But, on the other hand, she had shown +even in the nursery, and still more in the months +preceding her marriage, that she inherited, together +with the Prince Regent’s quickness of apprehension +and feeling, some of his greatest defects, <i>viz.</i>, a love +of exaggeration, if not a disregard of truth, in professions +and complaints, a passion for tale-bearers and +favourites, and all those petty failings and practices +which lead to what the French call <i>tracasseries</i> and +which rendered the private Court of her father, whether +Heir-Apparent, Prince Regent, or King, the abode of +uneasy heartburnings and jealousies and the scene +of squabbles and scrapes, embarrassing, indeed, to the +progress of State affairs, but almost below the notice +of politicians, and quite unworthy of the province of +history.</p> + +<p>I have thus adverted prematurely to the untimely +death of the Princess Charlotte, and to what little I +knew from report of her character, when the course +of my narrative had only brought me to her marriage. +To prevent repetition, I will here mention that on +my return to England in November, 1817, three days +after her death, everybody I met between London +and Dover, including post-boys and turnpike men, +bore signs of mourning on their persons. Yet so little +was this national affection extended to other parts +of the family, that calumnies, representing the Regent +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span>and Queen Charlotte as rejoiced at the catastrophe, +and even guilty of accelerating it, were very generally +credited by the vulgar, and not repelled even in better +educated circles with that scorn and contempt which +justice and truth required.</p> + +<p>The extraordinary sensation produced by her death +was, indeed, a stronger indication of the unpopularity +of the Prince Regent and his brothers than of the +childish affection for Royalty, which the people of +England so frequently display. The events which +had intervened between her marriage and her death, +and the tone assumed by the Prince Regent’s Government +thereupon, had soured the lower classes of the +community, and sensibly lessened the small stock of +popularity which the Prince Regent had ever possessed. +Although the Alien Bill had been most unnecessarily +renewed in 1816, that Session of Parliament closed +without any appearance of disaffection in the country +or any symptom of ill-humour in Parliament. A bad +harvest ensued; the people were distressed. Lord +Sidmouth, who held the Seals of the Home Department, +listened with inauspicious complacency to every +tale which officious magistrates and designing spies +brought of conspiracies and impending tumults. The +faction of Levellers, Jacobins, or Radicals, which is +never formidable, yet never wholly extinct in England +or Scotland, resumed their practice of disseminating +seditious and blasphemous handbills. They availed +themselves of the elaborate blunders of Major +Cartwright,⁠<a id="FNanchor_246" href="#Footnote_246" class="fnanchor">[246]</a> + the able mischief of William Cobbett,⁠<a id="FNanchor_247" href="#Footnote_247" class="fnanchor">[247]</a> +and the brawling eloquence (<i>loquentia potius quam +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>eloquentia</i>) of Hunt,⁠<a id="FNanchor_248" href="#Footnote_248" class="fnanchor">[248]</a> to promote the cry for universal +suffrage and annual Parliaments, among a class whose +sufferings give to the prospect of change, whatever +name it may assume, the pleasing colours of improvement.</p> + +<p>The Prince Regent, apt enough to suspect danger, +was yet more pleased at encountering it, whether real +or imaginary, with arbitrary authority or coercion. +Lord Sidmouth, either from sheer credulity or from +subserviency, was busy in collecting foolish stories of +plots,⁠<a id="FNanchor_249" href="#Footnote_249" class="fnanchor">[249]</a> and earnest in recommending measures of precaution +and severity.</p> + +<p>On January 28 Parliament met for the dispatch of +business. I went down about four o’clock with an +intention of reading the King’s Speech (a copy of +which is usually lying on the table or the woolsacks, +in the interval between its delivery and the resumption +of the House) before business began. There were +no Lords: there was some difficulty in procuring a +copy of the Speech from the Chancellor. He was +said to be at dinner, but he was closeted in his own +room with Lord Sidmouth. The clerks seemed disconcerted, +and everything, if not out of place and in +dismay, at a stand and in suspense.</p> + +<p>At length the mystery was cleared up. The Duke +of Sussex, who arrived before five, told me the Prince +Regent had not only been hissed but pelted in his +way to and from the House, and he whispered to me +significantly, “He himself <i>pretends</i> he was shot at.” +Accordingly, on the resumption of the House, before +the Select Vestry Bill was moved or the Chancellor had +read the Speech from the woolsack, up rose my Lord +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>Sidmouth, and with more than his usual solemnity +(sufficient though it be to that or almost any other +occasion) stated that the Prince, on his return +through the Park, had been grossly insulted and +assailed.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Montrose (Master of the Horse) then +related, in a manner somewhat indistinct and confused, +that a stroke had been <i>propelled</i> against the carriage in +which he was accompanying the Prince Regent <i>by a +force stronger than a man’s arm</i>. Two holes, he added, +were made in the glass, and he described their appearance. +Lord James Murray, who was in Waiting, was +then called to the bar. His evidence led to the +inference that a shot had been aimed from one of the +trees in the Park, and he conjectured that an air pistol, +for he probably perceived that the concealment of +an air gun was somewhat difficult, had been the +instrument. Lord Grey cross-examined him, which +Lord Grenville whispered to me was injudicious. He, +Lord Grenville, soon afterwards spoke, as did Lords +Eldon and Sidmouth, with becoming horror of such an +outrage; but he did not affect, as the others did, great +agitation and alarm at the event, which, in spite of his +propriety and decorum, he must have deemed questionable. +Lord Sidmouth, to vent his feelings of indignation +and alarm with an equal attention to pathos and +precedent, had the journals of 1795, when a similar +event had occurred, spread out before him; and bade +the clerk, when one question was disposed of, <i>look out +what was to be done next</i>. He was disconcerted at +finding that the absence of the Masters-in-Chancery +would compel us to convey our horror to the Commons +by an inferior servant of the House.</p> + +<p>A conference took place. The Houses, as indeed it +would appear the conspirators had been also, were +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span>strictly regulated by precedent of 1795: the expression +of our indignation and the assurances of our loyalty +were couched verbatim in the words of the resolution +and address of that year, and though the House of +Commons did not, as formerly, adjourn the debate on +the address, we did. The Prince said, and perhaps +thought, it was <i>a shot</i>; so said, and so thought, his +father in 1795. But when Lord Onslow stooped in the +carriage to look for the stone or bullet which had +broken the window, George III. reminded him, +saying: “Sit up, my Lord; they will say we are +afraid.” In this rehearsal of a stale and insipid +comedy the only little incident that marked dignity or +presence of mind was omitted. On neither occasion +was a shot fired. Lord Eldon assured me that he +had in his possession the stone which had broken +the window in 1795, and which was found at the +bottom of the State carriage. He preserved it, with +the dagger produced in the Commons by Mr. Burke,⁠<a id="FNanchor_250" href="#Footnote_250" class="fnanchor">[250]</a> +as memorials of those strange times, surely not as +marks of the sagacity or honesty of those he affects +to admire!</p> + +<p>The device this time did not greatly assist Ministers. +It made little sensation either way. Government, +however, in spite of a good but heavy speech from +Lord Grey, with which he was more dissatisfied than +his [——], and a spirited one from Lord Wellesley, +met with ample support from the House and more +countenance from Lord Grenville than was of good +omen for the preservation of our party. Some +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>approximation between Burdett and Grey was produced +by the recurrence of coercive measures. Cobbett +and Hunt took occasion, in letters to Lord Grey and +interviews with me, to adhere to a declaration of +Lord Cochrane,⁠<a id="FNanchor_251" href="#Footnote_251" class="fnanchor">[251]</a> that the endeavours of the people +should be directed to the removal of the Ministry +and the elevation of the Whigs to power. It has +happened more than once in the course of my life +that the party called Jacobins, Levellers, or Radical +Reformers, after reviling the Whigs and strengthening +the High-Church Party by lowering their +opponents, have sought in the hour of danger to +shelter themselves under the party they have so +traduced. The Whigs, and let it [be] spoken with +pride, have on such occasions, though smarting from +the recent ingratitude of their suppliants, been ever +ready from principle and generosity to stretch their +protecting hands to persons calumniated or persecuted +by power.</p> + +<p>I saw Cobbett twice. His upright figure indicated +the drill of a soldier, his ruddy complexion and +homely accent the subsequent character of a farmer +as well as his original condition. Neither countenance +nor conversation (at least at this time) were at all +of a piece with the sprightliness of his style, the +shrewdness of his remarks, or the closeness of his +reasoning in written compositions. His objects were, +the co-operation of the Whigs in public meetings +for a change of Ministry, and their protection and +countenance if he wrote in their favour. In such +objects I told him Whigs could not but concur, but +I avoided all appearance of any closer connection. +He was alarmed at the threatened suspension of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>Habeas Corpus.⁠<a id="FNanchor_252" href="#Footnote_252" class="fnanchor">[252]</a> He very unaffectedly acknowledged +his distrust of his own nerves, and a dread of behaving +meanly and basely if arrested; he, therefore, +hinted at an intention, which he afterwards executed, +of retiring to America. He earnestly asseverated +that he never had, and never would, belong to any +political Opposition whatever.</p> + +<p>No concert, much less union, with this extreme +branch of Radicals ensued. Lord Grey, with the full +consent of a large meeting of his Parliamentary friends +(called February 24, 1817), engaged on an opposition +to the suspension of the Habeas Corpus and to sundry +coercive measures resorted to by Government, and in +which Lord Grenville and his immediate friends, +though disclaiming all rupture with the Whigs and +professing undiminished regard, openly acquiesced. +Burdett soon and rapidly resumed his old personal +habits with many Whigs. Good will and communication +between the Whigs and him, as leader of reformers, +remained uninterrupted, till his deep but often shaded +tinge of Toryism,⁠<a id="FNanchor_253" href="#Footnote_253" class="fnanchor">[253]</a> at last, separated him from all the +parties and persons with whom he had ever acted in +public. Parliamentary Reform, however, was not yet +adopted as an indispensable article in the Whig creed; +nor did the Burdettites pledge themselves to act as a +party in bringing Whigs into power.</p> + +<p>Lord Fitzwilliam,⁠<a id="FNanchor_254" href="#Footnote_254" class="fnanchor">[254]</a> from old affections for many and +from recent disgust at the system of espionage so +unnecessary and so revolting to a generous and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>honourable mind, sided without hesitation with us. +From this period, he and his large connection became +active and important members of the popular division +of the Whig party. With little talent and less acquirements, +he was, throughout life, one of the most considerable +men in the country and a striking instance +of that most agreeable truth—that courage and honesty +in great situations more than supply the place of +policy or talent. It was not his relationship to Lord +Rockingham, though no doubt an advantage, nor his +princely fortune, though a yet greater, which conferred +the sort of importance he enjoyed for half a century +in this country. He derived it more directly and more +certainly from his goodness and generosity, and from +the combination of gentleness and courage which +distinguished his amiable and unpretending character. +Such unblemished purity and such unobtrusive intrepidity, +such generosity of feeling, firmness of purpose, +and tenderness of heart, meeting in one of high station +and princely fortune, commanded the affection and +confidence of the public; and Lord Fitzwilliam enjoyed +them, beyond even those of his own class who united +much greater reach of understanding and more +assiduity of business to superior personal accomplishments +and advantages.</p> + +<p>He had been named of the Committee,⁠<a id="FNanchor_255" href="#Footnote_255" class="fnanchor">[255]</a> but he +fearlessly and publicly condemned the evidence which +had there been admitted. The suspension of the +Habeas Corpus was, nevertheless, carried in the face +of Lord Wellesley’s and Lord Grey’s opposition. +Cobbett fled to America, and returned, when the +Suspension Act had expired, with the bones of Tom +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span>Paine and a stronger disposition than ever to indulge +in scurrilous language and factious practices. The +Radical party had manifestly decreased in numbers, +and the unprovoked measures of 1817 seemed invented +for the purpose of reviving its malignity and recruiting +its force by persecution. They had in my judgment +that effect.</p> + +<p>The country this year sustained the loss of Francis +Horner, a man whose sobriety of judgment and patient +application of considerable powers to the best and +wisest purposes of a public life would have placed +him ere long at the head of the rational friends of +liberty (including Whigs and reformers) in the House +of Commons. His constitution was weak, and by +neglect of it he had brought on symptoms of atrophy. +He repaired, by the advice of physicians and at the +earnest entreaty of friends, to a milder climate: but +it was too late. He died at Pisa on [February 8], +1817.⁠<a id="FNanchor_256" href="#Footnote_256" class="fnanchor">[256]</a> Could anything connected with such a misfortune +(which was to me, personally as well as +politically, a very great one) be termed gratifying or +satisfactory, the expression of regret at his loss in +private, in Parliament, and in public, would deserve +those epithets. Lord Morpeth, in moving the writ +for St. Mawes, paid a feeling and judicious tribute +to his solid virtues and rising merit; he was applauded +and supported by many of the most respectable +members of both sides of the House, including Mr. +Manners Sutton and Sir Samuel Romilly, the last +too soon, alas! destined to follow the pupil he so +feelingly lamented.</p> + +<p>That great lawyer and philosopher was himself +improving rapidly in Parliamentary oratory, and +yet more rapidly advancing in the estimation and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>confidence of the people. During the Sessions of 1817 +and 1818 he mitigated many parts of the coercive +bills. His arguments against capital punishment made +slow but deep impression on the public, and, though +still a lawyer in the greatest practice, he was at that +period more nearly the leader of the Whig party +in the House of Commons than any other member. +Brougham, who, I fear, from motives of jealousy +had much derided the tribute paid to the memory +of Horner, yet avowed and felt some deference for +Romilly.</p> + +<p>It was, I think, in 1817 that I moved an inquiry +into the treatment of Napoleon at St. Helena. Information +derived from Count Montholon and from +the Bonaparte family fully justified my statement; +but the injudicious and exaggerated reports printed +by a <i>valet-de-chambre</i>⁠<a id="FNanchor_257" href="#Footnote_257" class="fnanchor">[257]</a> + enabled Lord Bathurst,⁠<a id="FNanchor_258" href="#Footnote_258" class="fnanchor">[258]</a> by +refuting what I did <i>not say</i> and quoting the publication +instead of my speech, to assume the appearance of +contradicting what I <i>did</i> say. I did not divide, though +Lord Darnley, never deficient in natural generosity, +showed some disposition to urge it on the House.</p> + +<p>In general, my political friends both in the Lords +and the Commons,⁠<a id="FNanchor_259" href="#Footnote_259" class="fnanchor">[259]</a> with the exception of Lord +Ebrington⁠<a id="FNanchor_260" href="#Footnote_260" class="fnanchor">[260]</a> and Mr. Abercromby⁠<a id="FNanchor_261" href="#Footnote_261" class="fnanchor">[261]</a> + (for I do not +reckon such a restless busybody as Sir Robert +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span>Wilson), were shy of meddling with a subject which +they ignorantly deemed unpopular in the public and +positively knew to be offensive at Court. I had and +have the satisfaction of believing that my motion, +ill-supported as it was, had an effect in alleviating +the ill-treatment of a great man: but, having recorded +all I know of him in another chapter of this work, +I pass to other subjects in this.</p> + +<p>I spent the summer and autumn of 1817 in Holland +and at Paris. It was remarked to me by Mr. A. +Baring,⁠<a id="FNanchor_262" href="#Footnote_262" class="fnanchor">[262]</a> and the remark was confirmed by M. Pozzo +di Borgo,⁠<a id="FNanchor_263" href="#Footnote_263" class="fnanchor">[263]</a> that the intense application of the Duke +of Wellington to the financial parts of the treaty, +combined with his known sagacity in adapting his +means to his ends, indicated that his views on returning +to England would be directed to the Treasury. +He did, in truth, devote his mind most earnestly to +the financial Committee, and studied most intensely +the questions of currency, resumption of cash payments, +taxation, expenditure, and exchanges.</p> + +<p>During the recess Lord Sidmouth attempted to +justify his silly alarms of revolution by yet more +silly prosecutions against writings termed seditious +and blasphemous. Hone was indicted for an innocent +parody.⁠<a id="FNanchor_264" href="#Footnote_264" class="fnanchor">[264]</a> It was hypocritically represented as intended +to bring the Scriptures into ridicule, and the Prince +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span>Regent affected much sanctimonious resentment at +those who abetted blasphemy and profaneness by +charitably subscribing to alleviate the sufferings of +a persecuted bookseller. Many of them, and the +Duke of Bedford particularly, were distinguished +in their stations for their attachment and reverence +for religion; but it was pretended that disapprobation +of so indecorous an act as the relief of a blasphemer +was the motive for preferring Lord Grantham,⁠<a id="FNanchor_265" href="#Footnote_265" class="fnanchor">[265]</a> with +neither residence nor property and only an expectancy +in Bedfordshire, to the Duke, who had the largest +property, and Woburn Abbey, in that county. The +Duke was more nettled than became him at being so +passed over. He wrote the Prince Regent a letter, +which, like most from his pen, was well composed. +It met with general applause. Yet to me it seemed, +in judgment, defective and, in principle, almost indefensible. +Not so thought the public. Truth is, the +English people love high spirit combined with high +rank. Whenever in assertions, even of unreasonable +pretensions, a strong feeling of independence is expressed +by a man of station and family, not only the +multitude and his own party, but the whole community, +are ready to applaud, and even his antagonists +to respect and admire him.</p> + +<p>The vacancy of [the] Lieutenancy in Bedfordshire in +February, 1818, was occasioned by the death of my +maternal uncle, John, second Earl of Upper Ossory, +a man of taste and philosophy, to whom during +childhood and youth I was beholden for tenderness +and advice almost paternal, and who left me the +estate and mansion of Ampthill⁠<a id="FNanchor_266" href="#Footnote_266" class="fnanchor">[266]</a>⁠—a bequest munificent +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span>in itself, and to me beyond all value, from the recollection +of those who had inhabited it and of the +happy hours, days, months, and years I had spent in +their society.</p> + +<p>Lord Ossory had not that force of mind which +public life demands or creates, nor the habits of +intense application to any object of ambition or +vanity. He had too much respect, not to say awe, +of the opinion of the world to make any strong +or lasting impression; but he was far from being +a common man. In all branches of taste his perceptions +were quick and just, and on every question, +private and public, his judgment was sound and +his expression of it distinct and sincere. No less +a person than David Hume predicted of him, when +a young man at Paris, that he would distinguish +himself as much as Charles Fox. Perhaps the very +qualities which captivated that great philosopher, +<i>viz.</i>, an unusual calmness of judgment, blended with +some distrust of anything approaching to vehemence +or enthusiasm, extinguished all ambition in Lord +Ossory, and taught him to seek refuge in a tame and +inglorious, but not unlettered or irrational, life in the +country. He was, though not <i>ingenti perculsus amore</i>, +a genuine worshipper of the Muses, and far from +insensible to the charms of literature or unskilled +in the pursuit of many branches of natural philosophy. +Not many days before his death, he, to my great +satisfaction, expressed, with a warmth unusual in him, +his approbation of the tone of indignation and scorn +in which I had spoken in the Lords of the hypocrisy +of the prosecution against Hone. Such testimony, +from a person little disposed to palliate the excesses +of the press or to sympathise in the exaggerations of +a party, was a proof that Government had assumed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span>the attitude of hostility to the current of popular feeling. +To that obvious error much subsequent discontent, +as well as many difficulties we had to encounter for +years afterwards, were mainly attributable.</p> + +<p>During the Session of 1818, and especially on the +Indemnity Bill,⁠<a id="FNanchor_267" href="#Footnote_267" class="fnanchor">[267]</a> I acquired by practice more fluency +in public speaking than I had hitherto possessed, and +got the ear of the House to a degree that placed me +higher in the rank of speakers than I had hitherto +aspired to be or perhaps could ever really deserve.</p> + +<p>That Session commenced in January, 1818. The +Ministers, questioned by me, announced an intention +of repealing the Suspension Act⁠<a id="FNanchor_268" href="#Footnote_268" class="fnanchor">[268]</a> before the address +was moved; and, on the motion of it, Lord Stanhope,⁠<a id="FNanchor_269" href="#Footnote_269" class="fnanchor">[269]</a> +the very opposite of his father in political principle +and greatly inferior in talent and knowledge, but, like +him, suspicious and eccentric, delivered a speech, good +in language but strange in conception, in which he +lamented that the first sentence in Cæsar had not +been made the leading article of the treaty of Peace +(<i>Gallia omnis divisa est in partes tres</i>), and much of a +like tendency and taste.</p> + +<p>Lord Liverpool boggled at the epithet he should +use in alluding to his oration, and after some +hesitation designated it, as “certainly a remarkable +speech.” As Stanhope had called France “a conquered, +abject, and despicable country,” it made +more sensation in Paris than London. It is said +the French Ambassador remonstrated with Lord +Liverpool for calling Lord Stanhope his “Noble +friend.” It hurried Lady Stanhope from France, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span>where she was then residing, and it required, according +to rumour, the good office of friends, as well +as some discreet compliances on the part of Lord +Stanhope to which his nature had no particular +repugnance, to protect him from all personal indignity +from French bravos who would be patriots.</p> + +<p>The earnest and repeated debates on the Indemnity +Bill had some effect on the country, none whatever +within the walls of Parliament. The divisions were +bad, the Whig party dispirited and disunited. At the +close of the Session some little spirit was raised on +the renewal of that odious measure, the Alien Act. +A method of evading its provisions, by purchasing +stock in the Scotch Bank, under an Act of George I., +was, at the instigation of Lord Lauderdale (the +last expedient, I fear, his ingenuity ever exerted +in favour of popular rights) resorted to by General +Flahault.⁠<a id="FNanchor_270" href="#Footnote_270" class="fnanchor">[270]</a> A more factious attempt to defeat this +manœuvre by an <i>ex post facto</i> clause, moved by Lord +Melville, was baffled by myself and others prolonging +the debate on the third reading in [the] Lords till the +House of Commons was up. There was no time for +getting through the formalities of agreement on our +amendments without deferring the Commission and +the Prorogation, and in the choice of disasters the +Government submitted to the dreadful one of having +a French officer a naturalised subject of the kingdom +in which his wife was a native and a peeress. On +this Alien Bill Sir Samuel Romilly had taken a very +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span>prominent part, and on the ensuing dissolution he +was chosen, against a virulent opposition both of +Tories and Radicals, for Westminster: thus commencing +to all appearance a career in politics as +brilliant as that he had run in his profession. But +all these expectations terminated in a scene of distress +and horror, such as may, indeed, [have] been found +in the theatre or in romance, but rarely in the +tragedies of real life. His wife had died after much +bodily suffering in the Isle of Wight, and he, being +brought up with great difficulty to London in a state +of deep melancholy, put an end to his existence two +or three days after his arrival in Russell Square.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="illus7" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus7.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><i>Sir Samuel Romilly</i></p> + <p><i>J. Hoppner, R.A. Pinx</i> + <span class="spacer"><i>Emery Walker Ph. Sc.</i></span></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Mr. Dumont,⁠<a id="FNanchor_271" href="#Footnote_271" class="fnanchor">[271]</a> who accompanied him on his journey, +and who endeavoured to relieve him by exciting his +tears, told me that on being reminded in passing +Holland House that his children were there, he +betrayed some symptom of emotion, but rapidly +relapsed into the deep depression of spirits which +betokened his despair and should have admonished +his friend of the consequences of it. It is singular, +but true, that an epitaph recording the sudden death⁠<a id="FNanchor_272" href="#Footnote_272" class="fnanchor">[272]</a> +(probably the suicide) of an uncle of the same name +following that of his wife, was discovered on a tombstone +in one of the churches of London.</p> + +<p>Romilly was a man of strong sensibility and as strong +opinions, indulgent even to tenderness to those he +loved. He had neither vanity nor guile; but he was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span>not perhaps entirely exempt from that gall which +intense pursuit of an object engenders in a proud and +ardent but pure and affectionate mind. His powers of +reflection and reasoning were of the very highest order, +and he was capable of unbounded devotion to a cause. +There have been seasons and countries, in which the +elements of which his head and heart were composed +would have fermented into zeal and fanaticism. +His early admiration of Rousseau, though afterwards +checked by the practice of a subtle, discriminating, +and distrustful profession on one hand, and counteracted +by the more grovelling and selfish maxims of +his friend Bentham on the other, had wellnigh +moulded his genuine philanthropy into something +of that shape and appearance, but did, in fact, leave +nothing but the traces of gentle, refined, and over-nice +sensibility and extensive philanthropy, more engaging +and exemplary perhaps than practicable. Yet no +advocate was more apt to persuade himself that his +client’s cause was the best in the world, and none +certainly was more eager and earnest in enforcing +that opinion. In spite of his great legal aptitude of +understanding, he formed a striking and honourable +exception to the pliability of principle so often and +so justly objected [to] in our legal politicians. Far +from being too temporising or too accommodating, +he was more fixed and invariable in his private and +public principles, on both great and small occasions, +than is either common or convenient or perhaps +desirable in a practical public man.</p> + +<p>He has left memoirs of himself; I was permitted to +read them in 1835.⁠<a id="FNanchor_273" href="#Footnote_273" class="fnanchor">[273]</a> The portrait, drawn by his own +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span>pen, of a mind struggling with adversity and panting +not so much for distinction or celebrity as for the +reward of self-applause from an approving conscience, +forms a valuable and curious piece of biography. +Over-scrupulous tenderness for his memory induced +his family for a time to withhold it from the public, a +production which must raise his moral character and +intellectual powers in the estimation of the good +and thinking part of mankind. It was the project +of Mr. Brougham and others to place him at the head +of the party on the meeting of Parliament. It was +defeated by the stroke of death. The inconvenience +of a mixed and undisciplined band without any positive +commander in the Commons was obvious; and our +active friends in the House and the busybodies at +Brookes’ concerted an offer of the lead to Mr. +Tierney.⁠<a id="FNanchor_274" href="#Footnote_274" class="fnanchor">[274]</a> Of this step Lord Sefton⁠<a id="FNanchor_275" href="#Footnote_275" class="fnanchor">[275]</a> + and Lord +Althorp⁠<a id="FNanchor_276" href="#Footnote_276" class="fnanchor">[276]</a> were, I think, the chief promoters, the +members of the House of Cavendish the most earnest, +and those of the House of Russell very willing and +active supporters.</p> + +<p>After some hesitation (for it was hardly in his +nature to take any step without some previous hesitation +or some subsequent misgivings) he accepted it. +His oratory, though of no elevated, commanding, or +even brilliant kind, was perhaps the most popular and +the most agreeable, and certainly by far the most +original, then left in Parliament. His long experience +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span>of the House, his conciliatory temper, and above all +his shrewdness, sagacity, and diligence seemed to fit +him admirably for the station he thus assumed. It +was, however, obvious that the general deference to +his judgment and the confidence in his principles +bore a very unequal proportion to the affection, good +will, and delight, with which his conversation and +speeches were regarded. Those who loved him best +foresaw too clearly that in the essential qualifications +of decision and judgment he might prove deficient, +and those less aware than his intimate friends of his +inflexible integrity not unnaturally attributed the low +standard, at which he too frequently rated the public +virtue of other politicians, to some crying defect in his +own, although the real cause was the inordinate fear +he felt of being outwitted and, above all, laughed at +for presumption or simplicity.⁠<a id="FNanchor_277" href="#Footnote_277" class="fnanchor">[277]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>In truth, his irresolution was fed, if not engendered, +by that very sense of humour which enabled him to +discern so keenly and to expose so admirably whatever +was ridiculous in other public men. His +pleasantry and easy manners shed a charm over all +intercourse with him, even on the driest matters of +business and detail. He meant to be, and he was, +courteous to all, and friendly and serviceable to his +followers and partisans. He had, moreover, other +qualities, or rather an exemption from other qualities, +which seemed peculiarly adapted to win the affections +of independent men. Though not destitute of spirit, +and though his physical courage was redundant rather +than deficient, he had perhaps less pride and certainly +far less vanity than any man of equal talents and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>acquirements whom I ever had an opportunity of observing. +I must own, however, that in his capacity +of leader of a party he was sometimes too readily +offended at insignificant deviations, and disproportionately +alarmed at the indiscretion of individuals. He +was, in truth, always striving to be more circumspect +in conducting other men than is compatible with +preserving any authority over them at all; and yet by +a contradiction not uncommon in the caution which +has its source in timidity, he was occasionally so +enamoured of some crotchet or refinement of his own +that he was hurried into courses hazardous and even +rash.</p> + +<p>Little incidents and shades of differences at meetings +held during 1819 at Burlington House,⁠<a id="FNanchor_278" href="#Footnote_278" class="fnanchor">[278]</a> and attended +by most of the Whigs, but not by Mr. Lambton⁠<a id="FNanchor_279" href="#Footnote_279" class="fnanchor">[279]</a> (who +had some private quarrel with Lord G. Cavendish), +disconcerted Mr. Tierney exceedingly. He was much +keener in discerning the existence and foreboding the +consequences of accidental dissensions, unavoidable +in large bodies of men, than expert in concealing +and healing them; and the character of some members +of his party, especially Mr. Brougham, was sure to +bring these disqualifications into action and notice. +They were, however, hardly perceptible to the public +during the first part of the Session of 1819.</p> + +<p>Several brilliant debates, in which he and Sir James +Mackintosh shone greatly, and which were followed +by successful divisions, though on matters of small +importance, seemed fully to justify the choice which +had fallen upon him and promised his leadership no +little <i>éclat</i>. But debates under his guidance were too +much trials of strength, and too little a manifestation +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span>of the conflicting principles of the parties engaged. +He always laboured more to obtain wavering votes +than to enforce the views or particular course of +action recommended by his party. So enamoured +was he of such a line of policy that, in an evil hour, +he determined to bring the relative strength of +Government and Ministry to a direct issue, and on +May 18, 1819, he moved a Committee on the state of the +nation—a motion equivalent to one for the dismissal +of Ministry, and in the then state of parties justly remarked +by Lord Castlereagh to convey two distinct +propositions: the first, that the Ministry in office had +<i>not</i>, and the second, that the gentlemen in Opposition +<i>had</i> the confidence of the House. To neither of these +propositions was the House, though far from satisfied +with the state of public affairs, prepared to assent; +and when convinced that the last was virtually involved +in the first, did not hesitate to reject the +motion by an overwhelming majority. Mr. Tierney +was much disconcerted at this result, and it was not, +I think, long ere he renounced the leadership which +he had assumed.</p> + +<p>The guidance of the party thus devolved to the +guidance of three or four men of weight (such as +Lords Althorp and Tavistock) and others stimulated +by Brougham, or to that of chance itself. Parliament +was prorogued in July, 1819. During the recess which +followed frequent meetings were held in London and +other populous towns. The avowed object was to +petition against grievances and for Parliamentary +Reform, and the representations of magistrates induced +Lord Sidmouth, ever on the alert to flatter that consequential +class of personages, to press for a sudden +meeting of Parliament. His colleagues declined to +adopt that inconvenient course. He redoubled his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span>activity in communicating with the busy magistracy +and in impressing on their minds the importance of +vigilance against riot and sedition. Hence, some from +party spirit, and more from that pompous bustle in +which provincial authority delights to revel, fed him +with idle tales of plots and insurrections, and courted +that official applause which he seldom failed to administer.</p> + +<p>Atkins, the Lord Mayor, a foolish and violent +man, at the risk of provoking a real riot, arrested +a brawling parson of the name of Harrison in the +very act of talking nonsense to a multitude.⁠<a id="FNanchor_280" href="#Footnote_280" class="fnanchor">[280]</a> This +silly zeal was magnified as a feat of prodigious +vigour and decision. Many a justice of the quorum +waxed emulous of the fame of a Lord Mayor, who, +according to his own version of the matter, modestly +reported that he had defeated a conspiracy “to burn +the Metropolis and to murder the inhabitants.”</p> + +<p>At Manchester the magistrates, instigated by one +of the name of Fletcher, resolved to eclipse the +triumph of Smithfield and arrest Mr. Hunt himself, +the demagogue of the day, even before he had +uttered a word. He substituted for constables a +body of Yeoman Cavalry. They were suddenly let +loose on a defenceless multitude of 4,000 men, women, +and children to execute the warrant.⁠<a id="FNanchor_281" href="#Footnote_281" class="fnanchor">[281]</a> The crowd, +unarmed, had collected in a square near St. Peter’s +Church. They were hemmed in by the soldiery, and +on the slightest appearance of tumult would have +been at the mercy of a military, but irregular and +somewhat exasperated, force. As it was, excesses +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span>were committed and blood was shed, though more +might well have been apprehended. The carnage +was probably exaggerated, and could perhaps hardly +warrant the designation, given of it to this day by +the people, of the “Massacre of Peterloo.” But it was +an act of violence, odious, illegal, revolting, unprovoked, +and unnecessary. This may be collected +from a narrative in my possession, written by Mr. +Stanley,⁠<a id="FNanchor_282" href="#Footnote_282" class="fnanchor">[282]</a> afterwards Bishop of Norwich, who surveyed +the whole scene from the roof of the houses, +and is much too conscientious a man to set down +aught in malice, though less willing than many of his +cloth to extenuate the excesses of authority. The +intemperate eagerness, or, to use Lord Grosvenor’s +phrase, the breathless haste of the Home Office in +thanking the magistrates for shedding the blood of +the people before it had ascertained whether it was +in observance or in breach of the law and the nature +of the force employed, riveted the recollection of this +outrage in the minds of the Manchester public. It +rankled for many years. The consequences were +very sensibly felt at the time of the Reform Bill; and +the name of the “Massacre of Peterloo,” together with +those of the persons who were most forward in it, +are not forgotten to this day.</p> + +<p>The Parliament, however, as then constituted, had +no sympathy with the sufferers; and when convened +in November passed several angry and restrictive +laws without repugnance and even without the +formality of inquiry. The Whigs in the Lords resisted +these unconstitutional laws in speeches and +protests (several of which I wrote); but Lord +Wellesley, who on recent occasions had taken a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span>popular view of all such questions, somewhat abruptly +reverted to his old anti-Jacobin courses, and Lord +Grenville vindicated the exercise of authority against +democratic and tumultuous agitation with an earnestness +and gravity which too plainly indicated an entire +separation from the party with whom he had acted +for fifteen years. His speech was elaborate and able—one +of his best: and among the last he ever delivered. +He touched with feeling on the differences +subsisting between him and the reforming Whigs, +and rescued himself with great spirit and close logic +from all imputation of inconsistency, acknowledging +and lamenting that he foresaw that practices would +be resorted to and defended by the eager friends of +liberty, to which he could never reconcile himself +as compatible either with the institutions of the +country or the preservation of necessary authority. +It was, in short, clear that there subsisted a fundamental +difference of principle between the Fox and +Grenville schools of politics, and the course of events +had brought into action these conflicting opinions.</p> + +<p>This was virtually the close of Lord Grenville’s +public life, though he lived many years. It was +painful that so honourable a career should end by +a separation from many connected with and attached +to him. The termination, however, like the course +of it, was manly and direct. There was nothing +sordid, nothing personal, nothing even inconsistent +in it on either side. I, for one, feel that among the +rare gratifications of a public life the reflection of +having known and acted with such a man as Lord +Grenville is not the least. Soon after a reluctant +attendance on Queen Caroline’s Bill and a speech +upon it that added little to his reputation as an orator, +logician, or judge, his health declined; he lived chiefly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span>in the country, and devoted himself almost exclusively +to literature, philosophy, and gardening. I had the +satisfaction of occasional correspondence with him on +these topics, and also of giving his proxy for the +repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts in 1828. +He died in 1833.⁠<a id="FNanchor_283" href="#Footnote_283" class="fnanchor">[283]</a>⁠</p> + +<p class="center">Non potui ejus mortem non dolere. Hominem enim, castum, integrum, +et gravem cognovi.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fox gave me his true character in one word, +in 1805, when he said, “I like Lord Grenville very +much indeed. He is a <i>direct</i> man.”</p> + +<p>The object of the early meeting being accomplished +by the enactment of the Restrictive Laws, the Parliament +was adjourned over the month of January, +1820. On the 23rd of that month died Edward, Duke of +Kent. He, as well as his brothers, had been married +on the suggestion of Government in the year 1818, with +the view of securing the succession. The pregnancy of +his Duchess, who was a Princess of Saxe-Coburg and +widow of Duke of Leiningen, was announced early in +1819, when he and she were in Germany. They were +desirous, for obvious reasons, that their child should +be born in England; but the Prince Regent had no +inclination to facilitate that object by offering any +pecuniary assistance. They had not enough for their +journey, and a generous loan of several thousands +from Lord Fitzwilliam (not repaid, I believe, till +Victoria’s accession) extricated them from their dilemma. +To that circumstance the present Queen and her +subjects are indebted for the satisfaction of maintaining +a native, as well as parliamentary and constitutional, +sovereignty. The Regent, not content with +the above gratification of malice rather than stinginess, +perversely objected to the child, when born, receiving +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span>the name of Charlotte. The Emperor Alexander +was to be godfather. But the Regent discovered +some rule of etiquette which forbade the combination +of his mother’s name with that of a foreign Crowned +Prince. He wished the name to be Alexandrina, only +from a spiteful hope that it might be unpopular; but +such a design was successfully frustrated by that of +Victoria being also adopted.</p> + +<p>Living as we are, while I am writing this, under +the Princess of that name, there may be some increased +curiosity concerning the character her father bore +among his contemporaries. I can furnish little to +satisfy it, from such slight communication as I had +personally with him, and I fear such report of his +peculiarities as I can conscientiously repeat from +others, will not augment any regret at an untimely +death, which bequeathed to others the duty of forming +the character of his far more illustrious daughter. His +exercise of authority both in Canada and Gibraltar +was liable to no exception on the score of negligence, +but it was deemed so harsh and vexatious that it +rendered his removal from both desirable.⁠<a id="FNanchor_284" href="#Footnote_284" class="fnanchor">[284]</a> His +domestic life, though far from being dissolute or +indecorous, was not exemplary nor abounding in any +very amiable traits of disposition.</p> + +<p>The state of the Royal Family at the period of +Princess Charlotte’s death had been singular enough. +We had a King and Queen greatly advanced in years, +and with no less than seven sons and five daughters +alive, and all beyond forty years of age; and yet from +the want of grandchildren there was no small prospect +of the succession devolving on some foreign Prince. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span>While the means of supplying this defect by marrying +the King’s sons was in contemplation, it was, no +doubt, remarked in every company throughout the +kingdom that the robust frame and abstemious diet +of the Duke of Kent marked him out as the survivor +of all his Royal relatives then living. Yet he died +before them all, leaving an infant daughter, destined +to succeed to the Crown, in the cradle. He was, +indeed, if such terms can agree, regular to excess in +all his habits. Household and family were more +strictly disciplined than a regiment or a convent, and +the duties, the occupations, and the amusements of +every branch of his establishment recorded, docketed, +and preserved, with a minuteness I hardly venture to +recount. His life was clockwork, and some ludicrous +instances which his brother, George IV., loved to +relate were such as might have rescued Sterne in +his delineation of Mr. Shandy from all charge of +extreme improbability. This observance of form +and details, and above [all] this restless love of business +which it caused, produced other results less +creditable to his memory and far more vexatious +to those connected or acquainted with him. It +involved him in correspondence with many low +characters of doubtful repute, and he was suspected +(I fear with too much reason) of having indirectly +countenanced and disseminated the calumnies, and +even fomented the plots, against the Duke of York +in the memorable business of Mrs. Clarke.</p> + +<p>He certainly kept up a mysterious intercourse with +almost every discontented officer in the army, and +he is much belied if he did not secretly remunerate +clerks in public offices, and inmates and servants in +private families, for what he deemed curious information. +It is to be hoped that he never earned, but +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span>he certainly obtained from his brothers, the nickname +of Joseph Surface: and the practices I have mentioned, +combined with assiduous attendance at public dinners, +a specious talent of speaking there, a plausible manner +in society, and a formal and dignified demeanour +everywhere, gave some colour to uncharitable imputations +of very mischievous designs. Some +certainly have thought it fortunate that he did not +live long enough to dabble in the troubled waters, +and prosecute the mysterious cabals which shortly +after his death harassed and degraded the Royal +family, and went nigh to disturb the peace of the +country.</p> + +<p>Of course, I do not allude to the horrid plot +for murdering the Ministry, which was about this +time conceived and nearly perpetrated by a ferocious +enthusiast and resolute assassin of the name +of Thistlewood.⁠<a id="FNanchor_285" href="#Footnote_285" class="fnanchor">[285]</a> That was detected and punished +in the ensuing month, but had no countenance nor +connection with any man of rank or indeed of public +character whatever. But there were certain consequences +resulting from the death of his father, in which +the Duke of Kent, had he been alive, might have +acted, if not a conspicuous, a very important part.</p> + +<p>George III. expired on January 30,⁠<a id="FNanchor_286" href="#Footnote_286" class="fnanchor">[286]</a> the anniversary +of the execution of Charles I., to whom he had +been so often compared. It might have been expected +that after a King had reached the age of eighty-one, +and had been secluded for near ten years both from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span>affairs and society, nothing but a mere change of titles +and names would have marked his descent to the +grave. But his son who was actually possessed, as +well as successor, of his prerogatives was so childishly +averse to admitting of some formal consequences of +the demise of the Crown that he involved himself, +his Ministry, Parliament, and country in perplexity; +which diverted all attention from the real interests of +the nation, threatened much internal disturbance and +calamity, and ripened, if it did not sow, seeds of what +fortunately became wholesome reforms, but might well +have been confusion, vengeance, and disorder. The +reports of all that led to, and all that occurred on, +what is called the <i>Queen’s Trial</i> are so voluminous and +for the most part so correct, and the subject is altogether +so revolting to good taste and so discreditable +to the Government and the nation, that I may be +spared the mortification and disgust of doing more +than touching on such effects as it had on the state of +political parties, and on a circumstance here or there +relating [to] the individuals, which escaped the scrutinising +curiosity awakened by that scandalous scene.</p> + +<p>The Prince Regent had all along dreaded lest, on +his Accession, the wife whom he detested would return +to England, claim her dignity and station, and expose +him to mortification and embarrassment. Long before +his father’s death he would willingly have instituted +proceedings for separation and divorce. He was constantly +nibbling at that bait, but he found no man of +influence in his councils or in Parliament bold enough +to engage in so hazardous an undertaking.</p> + +<p>It was thought, indeed, by several that the Princess +might be persuaded, cajoled, bribed, or intimidated +into some deed of separation and a promise never to +return. This would, it was thought, spare the Prince +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>her presence on his Accession, and his Ministers many +embarrassing questions on which it would be difficult +for <i>them</i> to steer a course, neither discreditable to their +consistency and shocking to the sense of justice and +decorum, nor, on the other hand, offensive to the King +and fatal to their ascendancy at Court. Brougham +was not at all unwilling to lend himself to such a +scheme. With his usual confidence in his own +dexterity, and with more than his usual effrontery, +he obtruded some such suggestion on the Prince +Regent and his Ministry, implying and much exaggerating +his influence with the Princess. The basis +of the arrangement was to secure to her an ample +income and a recognition of rank and title on the +demise of the Crown,⁠<a id="FNanchor_287" href="#Footnote_287" class="fnanchor">[287]</a> and to the successor to it the +certainty and comfort of her perpetual absence.</p> + +<p>Of these proposals he had consented, if not offered, +to be the bearer. When reminded of it in the House +of Commons, he did not simply deny it, but by +vehement declamation and argumentative contradiction +of collateral points endeavoured to involve all +that had passed between him, his client, or the +Government, in obscurity.⁠<a id="FNanchor_288" href="#Footnote_288" class="fnanchor">[288]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>How far he was authorised by her, how far invited +or accepted by Prince Regent or Ministers to take +the steps, it would perhaps be difficult for the parties +themselves to explain, and is certainly so for the +historian to ascertain. It all came to nothing. Some +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span>accused Brougham of a plot to betray his client and +ingratiate himself with her enemies, others, of a wish +to inveigle the latter into concessions and offers which +would enable him to expose them afterwards and to +place himself at the head of a popular party. Perhaps +each side suspected him of such designs upon them +respectively. Certain it is that though he repelled +those charges with great ability and force, and some +parts of them with obvious truth, yet there remained +a strong suspicion on the minds of many that the +entire failure of all agreement was mainly owing to +the want of confidence, on both sides, in the honesty +and judgment of the proposed agent (termed, by a +bad joke, rather an offic<i>ious</i> than offic<i>ial</i> adviser), +and not from any reluctance on his part to make +himself subservient to the views of either. Whatever +was the effect of his interposition, nothing had been +settled at the Accession of George IV.; and the Queen +seemed retrospectively to approve of all Brougham’s +proceedings by appointing him without loss of time +her Attorney-General.⁠<a id="FNanchor_289" href="#Footnote_289" class="fnanchor">[289]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>One of the first public acts which the King in the +ordinary course of things was called upon to perform, +was to sign an order for the omission of the names +of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and for the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span>insertion of himself as reigning King, and Queen +Caroline as his Consort, in the Liturgy. This he +positively refused to do, and thereby astounded his +Ministers. An altercation ensued, which had wellnigh +ended in the dissolution of the Ministry. How +exactly the matter was settled I do not recollect; +but the Royal Family including the Queen, and not +naming her, appeared in the <i>Gazette</i>, and the King, +as the price of submitting to such a compromise, +exacted from his Ministers a promise that unless the +Queen were prevailed upon to remain abroad they +would institute proceedings against her immediately +on her arrival in England. It was, no doubt, foreseen +by the King and by everybody else, the Ministers +excepted, that the Queen would consider the omission +of her name and title as an indignity, and hurry home +to resent it. Even at this early period some vague +and indistinct communications were conveyed from +the King to leading individuals in Opposition. They +betrayed the uneasy footing on which he stood with +his Cabinet, and must have shown him the firm +adherence of the Whig party to the public principles +which they professed; but they did no more.</p> + +<p>The King was proclaimed on a very cold day at +Carlton House, by the same person (Sir Isaac Heard)⁠<a id="FNanchor_290" href="#Footnote_290" class="fnanchor">[290]</a> +who had officiated at his father’s proclamation <i>sixty</i> +years before. The new Sovereign was so affected by +the weather that he was near giving old Sir Isaac an +opportunity of proclaiming a third King. His life, +however, was saved by the bold practice of Sir +Matthew Tierney, who resorted, without hesitation, +to profuse bleeding.</p> + +<p>The Parliament was dissolved on February 28, and +the atrocious plot of Thistlewood and his accomplices +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span>was adroitly alluded to in the Speech as substantiating +the grounds on which the Coercive Acts had been +passed. Yet surely they rather confirmed the adverse +remark, that penal laws and precautionary measures +of severity against sedition tend to provoke schemes +of assassination and to substitute the secret dagger for +the open tumult or riot. There was nothing in the +character or conduct of the criminals on this occasion +to raise either sympathy or curiosity; nor could +the fate of men meditating such atrocities excite the +slightest commiseration. Yet the spectacle of the +barbarous parts of the execution was unsuited to +the times; and the Government and Parliament felt +that they were more likely to disgust than to intimidate +the public, and to promote than to deter +disaffection and conspiracy. They were soon after +silently abrogated by Act of Parliament in cases of +high treason as well as felony, although the yet +more iniquitous consequence of that sentence, the +corruption of blood, was left unaltered.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for the Ministry, the returns of the +new Parliament were completed before the ulterior +proceedings regarding the Queen were announced or +the intentions respecting her had transpired or been +clearly understood. Her resentment at the omission +of her name was not positively known till Parliament +met, and with equal good fortune the Civil List was +voted before she arrived in the country, and before the +discussions arising upon it had perplexed the House +of Commons and inflamed their constituents. The +dissolution had given the Government a majority +adequate to ordinary purposes. The Civil List, having +been settled as recently as 1816, and being in some +degree exonerated by the death of Queen Charlotte +as well as the King, passed rapidly and smoothly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span>through Parliament. Had the temper of the House +been as much ruffled as it was six weeks afterwards, +its passage would probably have been much rougher +and much of its valuable cargo have been thrown +overboard to lighten the vessel before it reached its +destination.</p> + +<p>The address also passed unanimously on April 17. +There seemed, indeed, sufficient in foreign and domestic +events to occupy the Parliament and the public during +the Session. In Spain, insurrectionary movements +and military mutinies had compelled the ever base +and cowardly Ferdinand to proclaim that Constitution +of 1812, which his treachery and ingratitude had +subverted.⁠<a id="FNanchor_291" href="#Footnote_291" class="fnanchor">[291]</a> This revolution produced a mighty +sensation throughout the Continent, and it was obvious +either the infection of liberty would spread or an +endeavour be made to crush it by the Holy Alliance +and the restored Bourbons of France.</p> + +<p>At home the great oracles on currency and bullion—such +as that consistent and philosophical observer, Lord +King—pronounced some legislative measures and +some further approach to perfect liberty of trade and +currency necessary to avert impending embarrassments, +and to establish a wholesome condition of things. The +trials of Mr. Hunt and Sir Francis Burdett, the first, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span>for sedition and riot at Manchester,⁠<a id="FNanchor_292" href="#Footnote_292" class="fnanchor">[292]</a> the latter, for a +seditious libel upon it, involved many questions on +which the public, at any other time, would have been +apt to take fire and some of a nice nature on the +construction of Statute and the principles of Common +Law. The Irish Roman Catholics, too, often over +sanguine, began to speculate on the consequences of the +Accession, and of a King who, though lately estranged +from their cause, had been long supposed to be a +friend, and might, as they fondly imagined, revert to his +early predilections. Mr. Grattan, though in a feeble +state of health, was hurrying over at their earnest +instigation, and in fervent hope of closing his glorious +career by a striking, if not successful, effort of expressing +eloquence on behalf of his countrymen. But he +breathed his last the day after he reached London, +almost at the moment when the Queen’s triumphant +arrival extinguished for a time all interest about that +great question more effectually than the death of its +ablest advocate, overwhelmed the Government with +consternation, adjourned all incipient reform on the +business of Grampound,⁠<a id="FNanchor_293" href="#Footnote_293" class="fnanchor">[293]</a> and obliterated the consideration +of all topics of public concern; thereby +furnishing a beautiful comment on the institution +of monarchy, which can render the personal and +disgusting squabbles between a man and his wife, +neither remarkable for their talents nor respectable +for their virtues, a much keener object of solicitude +to an enlightened people than the fate of surrounding +nations or the improvement and welfare of their +own!</p> + +<p>Lord Grey did not attend the early part of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span>Session. He intrusted to me a petition from a parson +of the name of Pike Jones,⁠<a id="FNanchor_294" href="#Footnote_294" class="fnanchor">[294]</a> a man of coarse manners, +but not deficient in learning or understanding, whom +the Bishop of Exeter, Dr. Pelham, the weakest +sycophant on the Bench, had refused to induct to +a living. The pretext was that he had spoken +irreverently of the Articles and the Athanasian Creed +at a public meeting; the real motive was to pay +his court to George IV., by persecuting a clergyman +who had at that meeting manfully and charitably +maintained the principles of universal toleration.</p> + +<p>My case was strong. I endeavoured, not without +success, I believe, to demonstrate that were the +Church of England to be judged, as the Anti-Catholics +among them judge of the Papist, by such +maxims and professions as she is unwilling to renounce +but does not practically act up to, she might, +through her Articles, Homilies, and Creeds, be +convicted of bigotry, if not perhaps so extensive, full +as inveterate and odious as that of the Roman +Catholic Church. The Bishop, however callous to +reproach, was scared at the severity with which +several grave and church-going peers, especially Lord +Carnarvon and Lord Lansdowne, stigmatised the +transaction; and though the Bishop of Durham,⁠<a id="FNanchor_295" href="#Footnote_295" class="fnanchor">[295]</a> +the highest Churchman on the Bench, censured the +language both of Mr. Jones and Lord Carnarvon, it +was obvious enough that he, as well as Ministers +and the other Spiritual Lords, if compelled to pronounce +a verdict on the subject, would have condemned +his conduct as intemperate and illegal.</p> + +<p>The Queen, with an intrepidity defying legal +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span>advice as well as King, Cabinet, and Parliament, +made a strange and triumphant entry into London, +with Alderman Wood⁠<a id="FNanchor_296" href="#Footnote_296" class="fnanchor">[296]</a> at her side and her ladies +opposite, on June [7], 1820. The Ministers redeemed +their pledge to the King, and on the 6th +brought down a message to Parliament, accompanied +by papers in a green bag relating “to the conduct +of the Queen since her departure.” The negotiations +preceding her determination to come to London +were all brought in great detail before the public.</p> + +<p>I have already stated my reasons for not recounting +or commenting on them, or upon those, with a like +failure, which were instituted by the Commons to +induce Her Majesty to acquiesce in some arrangement +which would avert the necessity of any public +investigation. In some of the preliminary steps to +the inquiry I took a part, with a view that the +whole proceeding might be quashed in the earliest +stages, and stifled without casting blame on either +party. I was even induced, by an idle hope of +abrogating an unjust and unnatural law (from which +I apprehended future mischief to monarchy), to +propose the Repeal of the Royal Marriage Act, which +passed in the year 1772 to gratify the malice and feed +the pride of George III.⁠<a id="FNanchor_297" href="#Footnote_297" class="fnanchor">[297]</a> I had no view, retrospective +or immediate, to the squabble, then existing in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span>Royal Family and disturbing at once business of +Parliament and the peace of the country; but I vainly +imagined that a sense of those inconveniences, arising +from the constraints under which Royal marriages are +contracted, might dispose men’s minds to relax or +remove such constraints in future. Friend and foe +scouted the proposition, and seemed to suspect it to +be a manœuvre to answer some immediate but concealed +purpose. The fact is, all minds were intent +on giving a triumph to one of the contending parties +on the matter before them, and reckless of everything +else. I, of course, let my bill drop after the first +reading.</p> + +<p>Lord Liverpool asked me in private if I would sit +on the second Committee about to be appointed for +an examination of the papers; I declined, but I did +so, as I told him, on private rather than public +grounds, thinking my name by no means an advantageous +one to be selected for judicial inquiry on a +matter connected with divorce. Lansdowne consented +to be named, but he afterwards publicly withdrew; +and as in the <i>interim</i> the Commons had shown their +distaste and the public their resentment of the proceeding, +his change of conduct, though judicious, +natural, and prudent, was for that very reason, by +the promoters of the measure, stigmatised as irresolute +and unhandsome. Most of our party, and all who +had been of Cabinet in 1806, were, in truth, at first +very unwilling to espouse the cause of the Queen. +We had no great confidence in its merit and none +whatever in her character; and we thought such +a line of conduct would expose us to the charge +of faction or revenge. On the other hand, we were +as little disposed, after the treatment we had received, +to identify ourselves a second time with the King, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span>and to brave unpopularity by encouraging him in +an ungenerous and unnecessary vexation of a half-crazy +woman.</p> + +<p>Several, however, of our friends, Lords Donoughmore +and Hutchinson, Sir John Leach,⁠<a id="FNanchor_298" href="#Footnote_298" class="fnanchor">[298]</a> Lord Lauderdale, +and perhaps the whole Cavendish connection, +either felt disgusted with the Queen or deemed it in +their hearts a good opportunity for recovering Court +favour, and possibly for outbidding those who were +in possession of office. But some few in the Lords, +very many in the Commons, and nearly all out of +doors, wrought upon by Brougham and either sincerely +biassed by indignation at what they deemed persecution +or stimulated by faction and revenge, were panting +for the exposure of the King and ready to exalt +the Queen as their heroine and to inflict mortification +and defeat upon him.</p> + +<p>We were not the only party perplexed at the position +we had assumed. Mr. Canning was in a yet +more awkward predicament. He had been intimate, +scandal said, too intimate, with the Queen. The +rumour was countenanced by the King’s marked +aversion to him; and the notoriety of her consultations +with him, before she quitted, had served to +confirm the suspicion. Yet he had acquiesced in +the exclusion of her name from the Liturgy. He did +not appear either in Council or in Parliament to have +made any very strenuous exertions to screen her +from prosecution or aspersion. But when that provocation +was determined and announced, he lamented it +loudly, spoke in warm terms of his obligations and of +the charms of her society. He asked an audience +of the King, and stated to him the impossibility of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span>taking any part in the proceedings against her. The +King commanded him to remain in his service, but +permitted him to state that he did so exclusively in +consequence of that command, and allowed him to +adhere to his resolution of taking no part. This he +considered as a postponement of his resignation, which +was tendered and accepted in the winter of 1820.⁠<a id="FNanchor_299" href="#Footnote_299" class="fnanchor">[299]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Surely this was a strange course. It afforded her +no assistance or protection. It must have grievously +offended his colleagues and the King, and so far from +rescuing her character from reproach, it seemed to imply +some secret and mysterious reason that disqualified +him for a judge or an accuser....</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, the negotiations of the Commons +with the Queen (though much to the mortification of +Mr. Wilberforce and other grave members who conducted +them, they ended in nothing) gave strong colour +to the apprehension that, even if a bill of Pains and +Penalties should pass the Lords, it would, by direct +vote or by delay, be inevitably lost in the Commons. +The thought of this animated and inflamed the public. +Reports, perhaps unfounded, of murmurs among +the soldiery were afloat.⁠<a id="FNanchor_300" href="#Footnote_300" class="fnanchor">[300]</a> They were said to confound +the authority of a Queen with that of a King, and, +conceiving them to be co-equal and co-ordinate, to +imagine it left to their option which to obey. Certain +it is that the lowest orders of the community and the +fanatic sects of the middle ranks were both, for +different and even opposite reasons, stirring partizans +of the Queen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span></p> + +<p>The clergy incurred great odium by their ready +and over-zealous acquiescence in the views of a +Court which was neither moral nor decorous. They +could not disobey the injunctions of their superiors +about the Liturgy; but their industry in disseminating +the filthiest tales about the Queen and their +haughty displeasure at every popular movement on +her behalf, disgusted and irritated their flocks exceedingly. +Never since the period of Charles I. were +the English people so estranged from the Established +clergy as on this occasion. Many useful reforms +effected since, as well as many less sensible but not +less certain symptoms of the declining influence of the +hierarchy, may be traced to that epoch. They have +been slowly and indirectly, but not unjustly, mulcted +and reduced for abetting the petty malice, and conniving +at the ill-assumed hypocrisy, of an unprincipled +and revengeful Prince.</p> + +<p>The report of the Committee of the House of +Lords recommending a bill of Pains and Penalties +was read on July 4, and Lord Liverpool presented +the bill on the next day. It had been settled by +an understanding, not, I believe, by a vote of the +House, that Her Majesty’s legal advisers, even though +members of the other House, should be allowed to +be heard and to conduct her defence at the bar; +although members of the House of Commons are not +usually admitted as counsel for or against any legislative +proceeding. However, the whole proceeding was +anomalous, and the counsel on both sides were members +of Parliament. The proceedings on the bill were +to be resumed, or as in common parlance it was described, +the Queen’s trial was to begin, on August 17, +and on that day Parliament Street was lined by a +crowd whose aspect was far more formidable than +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span>their numbers. Unlike English multitudes, their +countenances seemed to indicate design, determination, +and revenge. They hissed some and applauded other +peers as they passed; but they performed both those +tasks with such marked indifference that it was difficult +not to suspect that they had some more serious undertaking +in view. One man quitted his companions, and, +placing himself at the head of the Duke of Wellington’s +horse (as he was riding down to the House), clenched +his fist, and repeated the word <i>Ney</i> three times with +great emphasis and anger—an exclamation which +surprised the bystanders exceedingly, and is said to +have disconcerted the Duke himself not a little. Soon +afterwards the railing which barricaded the street was +broken down by mere pressure, and advantage was +taken of this incident to augment both the military and +the police. Owing to such precautions or to other +accidents, the appearance of the people in the streets, +though in numbers always considerable, gradually improved +in character, and they became, as English +mobs generally are, as manageable and good-humoured +as at an election or a fair.</p> + +<p>As I had taken some part in the preliminary discussions, +chiefly to mark my disapprobation of so +unusual, hazardous, and unnecessary a proceeding, so +I voted for the Duke of Leinster’s motion to rescind +the whole and reject the bill without any inquiry at +the bar. But during the inquiry itself, I was for the +most part employed in writing nonsensical puns and +epigrams on the various indecencies which occurred, +and tossing them across the table to the Chancellor +for his diversion, and I believe I was the only Lord +practised in public speaking who asked not a single +question during the inquiry. Once or twice, before +the Order of the Day was read, I endeavoured, but in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span>vain, to rouse the attention of the House to the grave +events passing in Europe. I also spoke on occasions +which seemed to me opportune for dismissing the +subject altogether, and I occasionally expressed my +opinion on matters of form which arose in the course +of it. Upon these latter points I acquired, chiefly +during that period, a very undeserved reputation for +a knowledge of the rules and orders of the House, +which I do not possess. I have, however, frequently, +though not perhaps without laughing or at least +smiling in my sleeve, taken some credit for it, and +availed myself of the delusion to facilitate public +business or possibly to give a friendly party a lift. +Form is so necessary in an assembly as large as the +House of Lords is become, that perhaps where there +is neither code nor individual vested with authority, +it is pardonable to counterfeit more wisdom than one +possesses and lay down some law in an authoritative +tone. Lords of order, like yet greater beings, may be +worshipped because some worship is convenient, rather +than because their oracles are infallible.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Expedit esse Deos et, ut expedit, esse putemus.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>Lord Grey earnestly wished to give to this bill all +the outward dignity of an impeachment, and asked, +on his legs, if there were not a more solemn way +of voting than is usually practised on a division. I +stated to him and the House that the regular and +orderly, though generally neglected, method of taking +votes on bills and motions much more nearly resembled +that of taking individual judgments on a +trial than from the common practice might be +supposed. On a question being put, every Lord +should in strict form be called, and should stand up +in his place and say <i>Content</i> or <i>Not Content</i>, in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span>same manner as he answers <i>Guilty</i> or <i>Not Guilty</i> in +Westminster Hall on an impeachment. What was +called a division of the House, by the <i>Contents</i> going +below and the <i>Not Contents</i> staying within the bar, +was a convenient device for ascertaining the number +of votes <i>that had been given on each side</i>, but does +not strictly or technically constitute the act of voting; +which was presumed to have been done in obedience +to the injunction from the Woolsack, “Those who +are for the motion will say <i>Content</i>, and those who +are against it will say <i>Not Content</i>.” The strict form +was accordingly, on this solitary occasion, observed. +We stood up and voted <i>seriatim</i>. We then divided, +and were told, as usual, to ascertain the number who +had said <i>Content</i> or <i>Not Content</i>. This proceeding, +from the long disuse of it, was imposing enough; and +I not improbably owe the character and the authority +of a profound Lord of order chiefly to the accident of +having suggested it.</p> + +<p>The questions on the various stages after the +examination of witnesses were preceded by long +debates. In the course of them I shortly stated my +reasons against the form, expediency, or necessity of +such a bill, but studiously avoided giving the character +of a verdict of <i>Not Guilty</i> to that opinion. Others +were not so cautious. Many on both sides displayed +great subtleness and eloquence. But yet there was +a certain lack of earnestness, sincerity, and truth in +all that was said, and, in my judgment, individuals +and parties, as well as our monarchy and institutions, +appeared to sad disadvantage throughout the performance. +It was a farce, and a sorry, disgusting, +and dangerous one. The manner in which Lord +Liverpool dropped the curtain after the third reading +is well known. His pretext was that slender majority +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span>of nine, which voted for that last reading, did not +exceed the number of Cabinet Ministers who had +already given a previous and extra-judicial opinion +by advising the bill; but his real motive was a +conviction that, if he persisted, the bill would be +lost in the Commons, or, passing, produce some +convulsion in the country.</p> + +<p>The relinquishment of the bill was hailed almost +instantaneously in the purlieus and adjoining streets +with loud shouts of triumph. Within the walls +there were, no doubt, many much mortified at so +lame and impotent a conclusion; but, though some +few protested, the Duke of Montrose alone ventured +to raise his voice against an ignominious +withdrawal of so grave and, as he thought, so +well substantiated a charge. He acted honestly, +no doubt. But as he had been by no means a +pattern of purity in his youth, he could gain no +credit for virtuous abhorrence of female frailty; and +having been celebrated in verse and prose as a +specimen of that brood which cackles around the +Capitol, he must have hissed at the sorry catastrophe +of the drama, more from aristocratical disdain of the +low character of the paramour than from puritanical +horror at the heinousness of the offence. However +gloomy and even awful had been the commencement +of the business, the fulness of the town at an unusual +and agreeable season of the year, the entire close of +business after four o’clock in the day, and perhaps +some circumstances connected with the nature of the +inquiry, rendered the period of its progress singularly +festive and gay. Its permanent effect on the House +was not so fortunate. It, in some degree, verified +Lord Egremont’s prediction that the habit of putting +questions to witnesses would familiarise every blockhead +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span>to hearing his own voice in public, and he +would hereafter weary the House with his silly +remarks on various occasions. The Lords, if not +more unmanageable, became from this period a more +loquacious assembly than heretofore.</p> + +<p>The King must have been sorely nettled at the +result. He taxed his Ministers with pusillanimity, +and sometimes affected to suspect them of treachery. +He authorised various persons, such as Lord +Donoughmore, Lord Hutchinson, Sir John Leach,⁠<a id="FNanchor_301" href="#Footnote_301" class="fnanchor">[301]</a> +and others, to make half-confidences to Lord Grey, +Lord Lansdowne, Mr. Tierney, and myself. If there +was really any further design in such communication +than to feel our pulse and alarm his Ministers at the +possibility of a change, that design proved quite +abortive. Lord Grey justly remarked in a letter, +November 21, 1820, that it was impossible for the +King and his Ministers to separate, however much +they might hate one another.</p> + +<p>The Queen’s advisers and partizans, miscalling the +cessation of all proceedings an acquittal, were busily +endeavouring to set up her Court in rivalry to that +of her husband. She gave dinners and had parties; +but she had neither a case, a character, nor friends, to +enable her to play that game with success; and some +ladies of rank and character wrote their names at +her door, or even on invitation dined at Brandenburg +House, but none took office in her household. It +was manifest that her station in fashionable society +could never be made either brilliant or comfortable +to herself or her visitors.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span></p> + +<p>Whatever might be her failure in London society +the agitation in the country continued. Numberless +meetings were held, which passed petitions for the +introduction of her name in the Liturgy, and pointed +more or less directly to the removal of Ministers +who advised the prosecution. If I may judge from +the two which I was prevailed upon to attend—those +of Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire—the enthusiasm in +her cause had not abated in the country for several +months after the failure of the bill. Yet perhaps in +the course of the winter, and yet more manifestly +during the early part of the ensuing year, the tide +of popularity was on the turn. Her exhibition at +St. Paul’s and the King’s re-appearance at the public +theatres had very opposite effects. The first weakened +the interest engaged in her cause, and the latter +softened in some degree the displeasure felt against +him. She, on November 29, proceeded to St. Paul’s +to return thanks and take the Sacrament. She +thereby scandalised many religious persons, who +deemed it a profanation of a holy rite, and she +disgusted the indifferent, who regarded it as a piece +of needless hypocrisy. The King, three months +afterwards, mustered courage to show himself in +public, and his reception at the theatres in February, +though neither brilliant nor striking, indicated plainly +enough that the popular frenzy was subsiding.⁠<a id="FNanchor_302" href="#Footnote_302" class="fnanchor">[302]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>All this preceded and accounted for the comparative +flatness with which her subsequent endeavours to +revive popular feeling at the Coronation, and even +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span>her death and funeral, with all their exciting circumstances, +were received in the course of a short +year from the period of her prosecution. The King’s +asperity was not so speedily mitigated as the people’s +disrelish of it; for when in the ensuing year the +intelligence of the death of Napoleon, which arrived +before the Queen was taken ill, was announced to him +in the ambiguous terms—“I have, Sir, to congratulate +you: your greatest enemy is dead,” he unguardedly +exclaimed, “Is <i>she</i>, by God?” thus betraying the +gradation in which personal spite ranged above +political enmity in his narrow and pitiful mind.</p> + +<p>In 1820 died Sir Arthur Pigott,⁠<a id="FNanchor_303" href="#Footnote_303" class="fnanchor">[303]</a> a high-minded +man and sound lawyer, who combined real philosophy +with considerable eloquence, acuteness, and learning; +and who, although in all exigencies, public and +private, singularly serviceable to his friends and party, +was too unobtrusive to acquire the celebrity to which +his rare attainments and elevated mind certainly +entitled him. His appearance was indeed uncouth; +and both in figure and his face it was said that +anatomists could trace affinity to the African race.⁠<a id="FNanchor_304" href="#Footnote_304" class="fnanchor">[304]</a> +If so, he afforded practical proof that the narrow +theory which denies capacity to that affectionate +people is as erroneous as it is uncharitable. I have +heard that, at an early period of his professional life, +he had been a solitary instance of a contemporary +or rival at the Bar unfairly treated by Lord Erskine. +He was certainly among the many whom that extraordinary +advocate, by bursting out into a sudden +blaze, eclipsed and for a while seemed to extinguish.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span></p> + +<p>About the time of his death, Lord Erskine, who +had involved himself in many embarrassments, +pecuniary and domestic, was making the last exhibition +in public worthy of his former fame. He +moved on July 24, on the eve of the examination +relating to the Queen, that a list of the witnesses +should be forthwith delivered to the Queen to enable +her to prepare her defence; but in his subsequent +attempt to sum up the evidence he was interrupted +in his speech by a loss of recollection, the consequence, +as he thought, of sudden and severe illness. +He recovered, however, to all appearance. The two +or three years he survived added little to his happiness +and less to his reputation.</p> + +<p>Here then in 1820 closed his singular career, and here +a friendly chronicler may feel pleasure in retracing the +lines of his character. Few lives have been more useful +to the laws of his country, and none more serviceable +to his contemporaries, and, indeed, to the liberties +of mankind, than Lord Erskine’s. His wonderful +exertions in the trials of 1794⁠<a id="FNanchor_305" href="#Footnote_305" class="fnanchor">[305]</a> stemmed the torrent +of political violence, which was rapidly rising. In my +conscience I believe, that had Horne Tooke and his +associates fallen victims to a charge of constructive +treason, it would not have been long ere the first +men in the country, and among them perhaps the +very individuals who instituted the proceedings, +would have followed their fate; for a system of +political vengeance and persecution as merciless, +though in an opposite direction from Robespierre’s, +would have been inevitably established. From such +scenes I believe we were protected chiefly by the +successful genius of Erskine. His character was as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span>extraordinary as his career. Who ever attained so +suddenly such celebrity at the Bar? Who ever held +it longer? Who owed it more undeniably to brilliant +talents and amiable virtues? Who, above all, ever +exercised in that profession such superiority, with +such uniform amenity of manners, such magnanimity +to young and old, to inferiors and followers, to +equals and rivals—in short, to all who approached +him?</p> + +<p>In a career whose very essence is contention, it +is marvellous how little angry passion of any kind +he either betrayed or provoked. His triumphs (and +who had more?) wounded nobody. His disappointments +(and he had his share) never fretted and hardly +ruffled him. It is said he has left memoirs of his +early and professional life. If they relate exclusively +to passages in his professional career (to which I +earnestly exhorted him to confine himself), they will +be not only curious but invaluable. If they embrace +politics and private life, they must, I fear, disappoint +the world; and they will certainly surprise and divert +rather than instruct or enlighten his readers. Yet he +was a clear and pleasant writer, when the subject +he treated of was such as suited his powers. Even in +politics, in which he was anything but sedate or +wise, what was miscalled his failure in Parliament +should not have occasioned a neglect of his printed +speeches. They were often very finished performances; +but those delivered at the bar, and afterwards +edited by himself, are absolute models of forensic +eloquence. They abound in beauties. They have +pathos, vehemence, wit, and fancy, and, above all, +an originality of mind which they who knew him +little and late could hardly imagine to have been in +him. Truth is, he was a phenomenon throughout. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span>Well might Mr. Robert Smith say that he knew +not why God Almighty should have been at the pains +of making a <i>nisi prius</i> lawyer, but he certainly had +been and succeeded, when Erskine was formed. Vain +even to a proverb, he seldom, very seldom, mortified +the vanity, and he <i>never</i> grudged or envied the success, +of any other man.</p> + +<p>Destitute of all classical education, and consequently +debarred from all familiarity with the great models of +poetry and oratory, he was yet remarkable in public +and private for the taste and purity of his diction. +After serving in two active professions, the Navy +and the Army, and speaking broad Scotch at the age +of 22, he, in the course of five years from that time, +was scarcely more distinguished for any other branch +of oratory than the grace of his delivery and the +beauty and correctness of his elocution. His sagacity +and discretion <i>in a cause</i> were unrivalled, but they +scarcely exceeded his levity and impudence <i>out of it</i>. +His judgment and dexterity in other men’s affairs +equalled, but it could not surpass, his simplicity and +childishness, not to say silliness, in the management +of his own. No one gave him credit for much sensibility +or very strong affections. Yet the zeal, the +earnestness, the energy, with which he espoused the +interests of a client, the light-hearted playfulness with +which he enlivened the gravest deliberations, his sweetness +of temper and gracefulness of manner, made him +a welcome associate in all companies and the intimate +friend of some of the wisest and best of his contemporaries. +His public principles were unquestionably +of no very inflexible kind. They had, perhaps, +never been very deeply considered, and yet honour +or accident, the recollections of early life, and an +unaffected deference for the more comprehensive +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span>genius of Mr. Fox, which, vain as he was, he never +disputed or regretted, rendered him one of the most +consistent party men of our days, at least, among those +who from lawyers have become politicians.</p> + +<p>In short, in drawing his character one might go on +with one endless antithesis; and it is not the least remarkable +circumstance about him that, in spite of apparent +contradictions in his composition, there scarcely +ever was a man on the great theatre of the world about +whose qualities, moral and intellectual, all persons and +parties were more generally agreed. I have chosen +to close his character here, for there was nothing +in the last years of his life on which a friend could +dwell with any satisfaction, though there was nothing +on which a biographer or historian could be called +upon to dilate. He died in very embarrassed, not +to say indigent, circumstances in 1823.</p> + +<p>Though the Session of 1820, of which I am now +speaking, was engrossed with the Queen’s business, +time was found by the Ministers to pass an Act for +continuing that odious and unconstitutional law +called the Alien Bill. I did my best, but in vain, to +rouse some feeling against it. I was left in a minority +of seven. On the other hand, a just and necessary +amendment of the Marriage [Act] was, after some +discussion, lost in the Lords,⁠<a id="FNanchor_306" href="#Footnote_306" class="fnanchor">[306]</a> though the earnestness +and home truths of Lord Westmorland and the +eloquence of Lord Ellenborough in its favour made an +impression which ensured some success in that work +of mercy and justice on a future occasion.</p> + +<p>But though the legislation of this country was +torpid during 1820, the Continent of Europe was not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span>so inert. The Spanish Constitution of 1812 ran like +wildfire through the south of Europe.⁠<a id="FNanchor_307" href="#Footnote_307" class="fnanchor">[307]</a> It was proclaimed +at Naples, where no copy of it was to be +found, and within a month it was adopted in Portugal +likewise. The Emperor of Russia and the other +members of the Holy Alliance were not unmindful +of these events. They signified their apprehension +of such revolutionary movements, and, obliquely +threatening some efforts to suppress them, called on +their Allies to meet at Laybach to take the state +of affairs in Italy into serious consideration. Accordingly, +at the commencement of 1821, and on the +opening of Parliament in January, the Government +and the two Houses seemed once more occupied with +questions affecting the interests of Europe. They +were, indeed, diversified by the county meetings praying +for the restoration of the Queen’s name to the +Liturgy, to which I have already adverted.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Wellington began to take a greater part +in debate than hitherto, and, I suspect, in Council, too, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span>after Mr. Canning had withdrawn. In a speech in +the House of Lords he ventured on a paradox which +shocked the friends of freedom exceedingly. He +maintained that open public meetings were an absolute +farce, and pretended that resolutions and +addresses got up in private, which had been pretty +generally resorted to with a view to counteract the +impression of those voted in public, and which were +much branded as hole-and-corner petitions, were +more deserving the attention of Parliament.</p> + +<p>Mr. Canning, who had absented himself while the +Queen’s Bill was pending, actually resigned in December. +He had received the King’s permission to do so. +It may be said to have been matter of agreement with +him and the King, as appears from a letter written by +him to one of his constituents.⁠<a id="FNanchor_308" href="#Footnote_308" class="fnanchor">[308]</a> But the publication of +that letter was not agreed to or permitted, and gave +His Majesty much umbrage. So much so, that Mr. +Canning was obliged to explain and to accuse the +poet Campbell, in whose magazine it first appeared,⁠<a id="FNanchor_309" href="#Footnote_309" class="fnanchor">[309]</a> +of a breach of confidence or, at least, of discourtesy +for printing it without his authority. It is possible +that Mr. Canning’s retirement from the Cabinet at +that critical moment in some degree facilitated the +measures of the Holy Alliance, who then or shortly +afterwards determined to trample on the rising +liberties of Italy, and succeeded in their iniquitous +projects through the pusillanimous treachery of the +King of Naples and the irresolute, if not insidious, +connivance of the French and English Cabinets.⁠<a id="FNanchor_310" href="#Footnote_310" class="fnanchor">[310]</a> It +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span>is true, however, that Lord Liverpool and Lord +Castlereagh, both in speeches and public papers, +unequivocally disclaimed all participation in the +proceedings against Naples, and all sanction or +approbation of the principles of the Congress of +Laybach.</p> + +<p>Their efforts, however, to prevent the interference +they thus affected to lament were very faint indeed, +and their distribution of naval force, far from impeding, +seemed to assist the views of the Holy Alliance. It +was, however, confidently asserted by some well-informed +persons that it was the real wish of the Duke of +Wellington, and yet more of Lord Castlereagh, even at +that time to discountenance all armed interference with +the revolutions of countries nominally independent. +Some even maintain that had the negotiations remained +in the hands of Lord Stewart, the present +Lord Londonderry,⁠<a id="FNanchor_311" href="#Footnote_311" class="fnanchor">[311]</a> the aggressive measures against +Naples would never have been resorted to. Accident +or personal caprice occasioned Lord Stewart’s absence +at the time; and the conduct of the affairs devolved +on Robert Gordon,⁠<a id="FNanchor_312" href="#Footnote_312" class="fnanchor">[312]</a> who, deeply imbued with his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span>brother Lord Aberdeen’s predilection for the Austrians, +was easily cajoled by their arts to depart from the +spirit of his instructions.</p> + +<p>George IV. no doubt rejoiced in secret at the +failure of any endeavours to check the anti-revolutionary +intervention of Austria; and is it uncharitable +to surmise that a Cabinet, weakened in numbers, +talents, and popularity by the secession of Mr. +Canning and by the unsatisfactory results of the +proceedings against the Queen, were disposed to +pacify the King by injurious compliances with his +passions, or at least by the faintness of their resistance +to his ruling prejudices and prepossessions?</p> + +<p>In February and March there were many animated +debates on these topics. In the course of them I +took an active and, as some thought, an intemperate +and imprudent part. In one of them, when called to +order by Lord Harrowby, I disdained to have the +appearance of qualifying by finishing my sentence as +I had intended; and, so interrupted, it seemed to +charge the Emperor Alexander with a participation +or at least connivance at the murder of his father, +whereas my meaning was to utter a much less disputable, +as well as less offensive, allegation, namely, +that it ill became him to charge those who derived +their power from insurrection or mutiny with being +necessarily accessories after the fact to the perpetration +of a crime, for he was himself sitting on the +throne reeking with the blood of his own father, +and would consequently, by a parity of reasoning, be +exposed to the unfounded or, at least, questionable +imputation of being cognisant of and responsible for +the murder. The diplomatic agents of Russia felt +or affected great indignation. Up to the period of +Alexander’s death they pointedly avoided my society. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span>It was whispered that Count Lieven,⁠<a id="FNanchor_313" href="#Footnote_313" class="fnanchor">[313]</a> a very gentlemanlike +man, had some thoughts of making it a +personal quarrel; and my old friend Pozzo di Borgo +soon after, at Paris, though not unwilling to meet +me, conveyed his regret that he could neither exchange +visits nor invite me to his house.</p> + +<p>I was in France for five or six months in the summer +of 1821; but before I set out, I had the satisfaction +of getting an act through Parliament, which in +turbulent times may have the beneficial effect of +saving the lives of many persecuted and obnoxious +men. Availing myself of an admission of Lord Eldon +that the laws relating to treason should be alike in +all parts of the United Kingdom, I pointed out to +him the fact that the just and benevolent statute +which requires two witnesses to an overt act of +treason was not in force in Ireland; and that men +there, in our own time, had been convicted and executed +on the testimony of one only. He promised +not to oppose a bill to amend this defect; and when +I introduced it, [it] glided almost imperceptibly through +both Houses of Parliament, to my great satisfaction. +Is it vanity to say that when one has succeeded in +enacting such an improvement one feels that one has +not lived in vain, and that one has done something +to rescue from reproach that anomaly which confers +for birth alone an undue share in making laws for +the community to which one belongs? The bill for +the relief of Roman Catholics, having passed the +House of Commons, was thrown out in the Lords.</p> + +<p>I soon after went to France. Such English intelligence +as reached me there may be better found in +Parliamentary Reports, <i>Annual Registers</i>, and other +printed works. To them I refer my reader. He will, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span>no doubt, remark in the debates [on] the Grampound +Enfranchisement Bill the gradual but sure tokens of +a rising statesman and philosopher in Lord Russell, +and in the measure itself the progress of the principle +of Reform in the public, as well as some indication +of the effects likely to be produced on that question +by the shortsighted resistance of the High Tory party +to every improvement, however small.</p> + +<p>The death of Napoleon was one of the events of +this year. The manner it reached me, and many +other particulars relating to that extraordinary man, +are recorded in a separate book of this work, and +require no repetition here.⁠<a id="FNanchor_314" href="#Footnote_314" class="fnanchor">[314]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>The Queen’s attempt to force herself into the +presence at the Coronation was unsuccessful and +undignified. It outraged the feelings of the country, +and was deprecated by a large portion of her friends +and advisers. Even Sir Robert Wilson, not the +least zealous or rash of her counsellors, vehemently +protested against it, and absented himself purposely +on the occasion. The imputations cast upon him +afterwards of planning a mutiny and insurrection +were utterly groundless. He was at Paris when +news of her death and the projected procession +arrived, and he consulted me on the propriety of +attending it, after having so recently parted with Her +Majesty on a difference respecting her attempt to +appear at the Coronation. That gorgeous ceremony, +though far less gratifying to the people than those +which have subsequently occurred, was lavishly +expensive and splendid; but it was very pernicious +in its effects both on the Royal and the public mind. +George IV. acted the farce of deriving his authority +from Heaven with so much complacency that he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span>almost persuaded himself that it was true, and the +people, though hardly the dupes of such mummery, +surrendered their better judgment and more reasonable +feelings of distrust to the glitter of pageantry +and show. To disseminate this disposition for parade +the King exhibited himself shortly afterwards in +Ireland, and even in that nation, whose wrongs he +was so intent upon perpetuating, found a gentry and a +populace base enough to greet his arrival with shouts +and adulation. So predominant is a childish love of +Princes in all parts of the British dominions.</p> + +<p>It was during his absence on that excursion that +Queen Caroline died. The death of this luckless +Princess, the consequence of an accidental obstruction +in her bowels, was rather a relief than loss to all +parties in the State. The King was overjoyed, the +Ministers pleased, and perhaps those hitherto politically +and professionally connected with her were, on +reflection, not sorry at the event. Few could have +adhered to her Court without either discredit or +disadvantage, and yet none could have held entirely +aloof without incurring the imputation of base servility +to the King and great want of generosity and feeling. +To none was the release greater than to Mr. Canning. +It did not entirely efface the resentment of the King +against those who had espoused her cause, or those, +including the Ministers, whom he thought had by +mismanagement given her a triumph; but it removed +the object which perpetually reminded him of his +mortification, as well as all occasions which might +revive his wrath.</p> + +<p class="titlepage">END OF THE MEMOIR</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="MISCELLANEOUS_RECOLLECTIONS">MISCELLANEOUS RECOLLECTIONS<br> +<span class="smaller">A SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER BEGUN IN 1826</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>In one supplementary chapter to my Memoirs I +have endeavoured to preserve the recollection +of such foreign anecdotes and personages as accident, +credible report, or personal observation have brought +within my knowledge. In this, I propose to set down +whatever I have learnt worth commemorating concerning +those persons who, whether Englishmen or +foreigners, have during my time, without immediate +connection with politics, acquired or deserved celebrity +for genius or talent, learning or wit, in science, in art, +in poetry, in literature, or in conversation. With some +such I have been intimate, with many others familiarly +acquainted. All have, no doubt, had directly or indirectly +more or less influence on the taste, temper, +and opinions of society. The indistinct manner in +which it was exerted would not, indeed, justify the +introduction of their names in my narrative of party +contentions and political events; but some traits of +their characters and lives may not be misplaced on the +distant ground of the picture I have attempted to +trace. I do not, however, pretend to much accuracy of +research, nor do I aspire to the office of biographer +of my contemporaries; still less am I qualified to +become the historian of literature, arts, or sciences. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span>Mine are notes and reminiscences of an idle, and in +some senses ignorant, spectator. They are rambling, +desultory, and imperfect, and often more calculated to +raise than to satisfy curiosity. But they are true; +they relate also to subjects which, having afforded +amusement and instruction to the writer in the course +of his life, may possibly prove neither unpleasing nor +uninstructive to some reader of similar habits and +taste after its close.</p> + +<p>Though from my family connections I was during +my childhood and early education in the habit of +seeing many of the leading characters in fashionable +and political life, yet I remember meeting but few +men of literary celebrity. The truth is, that at that +period they were less blended in society with men +of business and pleasure than they have been of late +years. There was perhaps as much reading, but there +was less conversation about books. If equal homage +was paid to authors of genius, the intercourse between +that class of men and fashionable company was infinitely +less than has since been established, to the +credit, and I should hope to the advantage, of both. +Of course there were exceptions. Some few, like +Horace Walpole, Gibbon, Soame Jenyns, Sheridan, +and Tickell, had at different epochs of their lives +partaken of the character of both. Some others, +who from birth and early habits might be deemed +to belong to one class, from taste or choice studiously +devoted themselves to the other. I had from the +earliest youth great curiosity about men remarkable +for their literary attainments. My vanity and taste +were always gratified by any intercourse with them,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Quotque aderant vates rebar adesse Deos.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>Hence I was flattered by occasionally visiting Horace +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span>Walpole in London and at Strawberry Hill, at one +or two letters I received from him, and at the notice +he took of me when I met him in houses which he +habitually frequented. His conversation, like his +written compositions, displayed a sprightly mind and +a memory stored with anecdotes, historical and literary, +the result of much antiquarian research and the fruit +of a long life spent in the company of statesmen, +authors, artists, and wits. In his person he was +slender and prim, in his manners extremely artificial, +in his temper somewhat susceptible about trifles. His +conversation, though much enlivened by fancy and +epigram, had great marks of preparation and study, +and even effort. These circumstances made Lord +Ossory observe in some MS. notes that, “Walpole +fell far short of his friend, George Selwyn,” who, +let me add, was a friend somewhat unmerciful on +the taste and appearance of Horace Walpole, describing +Strawberry Hill to me as a catacomb, or at best +a museum, rather than a habitation, and the master +of it [as] one of the most carefully finished miniatures +and best preserved mummies in the whole collection.</p> + +<p>But whatever were his peculiarities, Walpole’s +published and unpublished works are mines which +abound in brilliant, and do not fail in solid, materials +for history and biography. No one employed as I +have been in editing and, as I now am, in imitating +his labours,⁠<a id="FNanchor_315" href="#Footnote_315" class="fnanchor">[315]</a> can seriously wish to disparage one +whom he shows himself willing and perhaps unequal +to copy and to emulate. The scandalous chronicle +reported him to be son of a Lord Hervey.⁠<a id="FNanchor_316" href="#Footnote_316" class="fnanchor">[316]</a> In affected +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span>humour, laborious application to trifles, occasional +and unprovoked malignity, and whimsical ingenuity +of understanding, he certainly bore some resemblance +to that family. He felt, or pretended to feel, great +disgust at the practice adopted by the bookmaking +admirers of Johnson, who scrupled not to commit +to print whatever they heard in private conversation. +Hence he would suddenly purse up his mouth in a +pointed but ludicrous manner whenever Boswell came +into the room, and sit as mute as a fish till that +angler for anecdote and repartee had left it. It is +more than probable that he dreaded and disliked Dr. +Johnson himself. Whig principles, Republican affectations, +and loose notions of religion, were all likely +to invite an attack; and I much suspect that Walpole +practised some artifice or resorted to some meanness +to elude the notice or disarm the hostility of that +formidable enemy of fashionable philosophy. In conversation +and private correspondence, as well as in +his posthumous works, he was by no means sparing +of sneers and sarcasms on the priesthood and the +Church. I well remember that, on the publication +of <i>The Microcosm</i>,⁠<a id="FNanchor_317" href="#Footnote_317" class="fnanchor">[317]</a> Lady Ossory enclosed to me a letter +she had received from Horace Walpole, in which he +humorously but earnestly exploded a prevalent notion +that the juvenile authors were assisted by the masters. +Walpole urged the incapacity, ignorance, and sycophancy +of the tutors and parsons in terms highly +offensive to clerical ears. I, in truth, did not understand +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span>the force of many of his allusions; but, vain +of possessing the handwriting of an eminent wit, ran +to communicate the panegyric of my schoolfellows to +my tutor, Dr. Langford. He, though “Etonian to +the backbone,” was far from relishing such a compliment +to the scholars, but, nettled at the irreverence or +truth of the remarks, made me feel that I had not +risen in his favour by becoming the depositary of so +heterodox a document.</p> + +<p>Walpole’s conjectures were not, however, unfounded, +nor his sarcasms unmerited. The fellows, masters, +and tutors were in my time, a period of nearly ten +years, singularly deficient in common sense and experience, +and by no means distinguished even in +that narrow path of learning which they are expected +most earnestly to pursue. Dr. Goodall⁠<a id="FNanchor_318" href="#Footnote_318" class="fnanchor">[318]</a> was perhaps +an exception to the last clause of this censure. He +was a showy scholar and quick man, but with as +little usage of the world or solidity of judgment as +his colleagues. I was diverted, when I met him at +our Ambassador’s many years afterwards, at the +good-humoured simplicity with which he acknowledged +what had delighted him most in Parisian +society. It was, forsooth, the precedence given to the +Nuncio, the red stockings, imposing dress, and dignified +carriage of an ecclesiastic, who from perhaps +a pedagogue like himself had risen to be a diplomat +and a Cardinal, and walked before nobles, generals, +and Princes. Dr. Roberts,⁠<a id="FNanchor_319" href="#Footnote_319" class="fnanchor">[319]</a> the Provost, who for a +short time had been tutor to Mr. Fox, was something +more of a literary character. He had published a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span>volume of verses, and was supposed to have assisted +Dr. Glynn⁠<a id="FNanchor_320" href="#Footnote_320" class="fnanchor">[320]</a> (an abler man than himself) in his Seatonian +Prize on the Day of Judgment, which is a +poetical composition of unquestionable merit and full +of happy imitations both of Milton and of Virgil. I +suspect, however, that Dr. Roberts is now better +remembered in “Colleges and Halls” for a speech +to the King, highly characteristic of his profession, +than for the truth or taste of his poetry. In thanking +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span>His Majesty for his Provostship, he added, “And I +am the more sensible of the favour conferred, Sir, +as it is tenable with any other preferment.”</p> + +<p>Among the fellows was a Dr. Barford,⁠<a id="FNanchor_321" href="#Footnote_321" class="fnanchor">[321]</a> who passed +for a great scholar. I could never discover on what +his reputation was founded, except a Greek translation +of Gray’s <i>Elegy</i>. The boys affirmed that he could +read a newspaper off-hand into classical Greek, a +common hyperbole to express a scholar’s familiarity +with that language. George Selwyn used the same +to me of his Master, Dr. George: he added that he +knew the Greek for every English word except +<i>Mutton cabobbed</i>, that he had taught his wife also +many words, but that he reproved her for using them +ungrammatically, as, when in playing whist she said, +“I lead ὁ βασιλέυς,” he would turn up his eyes and +earnestly exclaim, “τὸν βασιλέα, τὸν βασιλέα, my dear.”⁠<a id="FNanchor_322" href="#Footnote_322" class="fnanchor">[322]</a> +I know not why I repeat so silly a story, especially +as I cannot vouch for its truth. I might, however, +have asked the lady herself, for I remember seeing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span>her at Mrs. Hewitt’s (who was, I think, her granddaughter) +at the age of one hundred and one—the +oldest person I ever met in company. Of this same +Dr. George, it is related, that on hearing the King +of Prussia, then a young military hero, extolled for +his abilities, he observed, “I should like to have +him up in my school to a verb in μί.”</p> + +<p>Similar notions of excellence might be brought +home to the pedants and masters of my own time. +My schoolfellows, however, aspired even during their +education to a better kind of literary fame, and not +without success. <i>The Microcosm</i> was published while +I was at Eton. I was myself too young, idle, and +ignorant to contribute to the work. The four chief +conductors were John or Joseph Smith, usually called +by a nickname Easley; Robert Percy Smith, yet more +generally designated by his nickname Bobus—both +collegers, but unconnected by blood—and George +Canning and John Hookham Frere—Oppidans. +Among the occasional contributors were Lord Henry +Spencer,⁠<a id="FNanchor_323" href="#Footnote_323" class="fnanchor">[323]</a> who, notwithstanding his constitutional +shyness and reserve, would have distinguished himself +by his wit and ingenuity, but died at the early age +of twenty-four when employed on a mission to +Berlin; and Mr. Mellish, who passed an adventurous +life chiefly abroad, and translated many German works +for the booksellers in London.</p> + +<p>The elder Smith, surnamed Easley, was nephew +of Sir Nathaniel Grove, the Puisne Judge, and, through +the interest of his uncle or of Mr. Canning, obtained +some places in the Courts of Justice and the Colonies, +in which he silently enjoyed the profits, without +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span>offence, but without rising or aspiring to any eminence +in his profession or in literature.⁠<a id="FNanchor_324" href="#Footnote_324" class="fnanchor">[324]</a> His numbers, in +which there was rather an ostentatious display of +learning and a dash of unintelligible metaphysics, +were great favourites with the schoolboys. They +passed with us for prodigies of learning and profound +speculation. Boys generally form a very +correct prognostic of the temper, disposition, and +courage, and a very erroneous one of the prudence, +sense, and abilities of their schoolfellows.</p> + +<p>Of Robert Percy Smith,⁠<a id="FNanchor_325" href="#Footnote_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a> elder brother of Sydney; +married to my aunt, Miss Vernon; first, Advocate-General +of Calcutta, and afterwards, representative for +Lincoln in two successive Parliaments, I shall probably +speak more than once in the course of these pages: +but, having mentioned him as an Eton boy, I cannot +withhold my testimony to his early proficiency and +extraordinary promise. He was clearly the soundest +scholar of his day; he had not only by his own unaided +exertions mastered the Italian language and +literature, but had already read and reflected on as +many and as profound works, both ancient and +modern, on ethics, politics, and divinity, as would +have enabled an ordinary student in either of our +Universities to set up for an accomplished metaphysician. +Yet nature had done more for him than +study. He was a descendant of a sister of Sir Isaac +Newton, and his powers of application and reasoning, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span>though never directed to science, seemed to claim +and justify the relationship. He had, too, a wonderful +command of language. If he seldom displayed his +pleasantry and imagination, enough escaped him to +satisfy even a superficial observer that he had in +store, though he perhaps disdained to use it, as much +of both of those commodities as glittered in the conversation +of his brother and attracted the applause +of fashionable society in London. Perhaps the strict +discipline to which Robert Smith had inured his mind +even at Eton perverted rather than directed, encumbered +rather than enriched it. Notions not very +friendly to our species and crudely adopted from +books when a boy, though quite foreign from his +natural character, which was sanguine and gay as +well as ambitious, checked him in the career of his +profession, aggravated many little unavoidable but not +insuperable disappointments, dimmed the brilliancy of +his spirits, and though they could not extinguish the +native warmth of his heart, confined its influence to +too small a circle, and gave up, not to party, but to +the parlour and the fireside, what was meant and +admirably formed for mankind.</p> + +<p>The early inclinations of George Canning destined +him to another career than that of letters. His +success in it renders it superfluous to say much of +him as a writer or companion, though in both those +capacities he rose far beyond mediocrity. In all, his +quick sense of ridicule, his readiness and exuberance, +both in fancy and in expression, were conspicuous. +Perhaps his characteristic excellence when a boy, viz., +prodigious facility of composition, is more necessary +in this country to the success of an orator or a +Minister than depth and originality of thought. He +was, indeed, when compared with some of his fellow +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span>labourers in <i>The Microcosm</i>, more showy than solid, +but it does not follow from thence that he was for +that early age in any degree superficial. His papers +in that work were the most lively, and his verses +more easy and sonorous than those of his associates. +His Latin exercises and English effusions excelled in +splendour of diction and brilliancy of wit, rather than in +the expression of passion or truth of poetical feeling.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp55" id="illus8" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus8.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p><i>Right Hon. John Hookham Frere</i></p> + <p><i>Sir M. A. Shee Pinx.</i> + <span class="spacer"><i>Emery Walker Ph. Sc.</i></span></p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Considering the station⁠<a id="FNanchor_326" href="#Footnote_326" class="fnanchor">[326]</a> he now occupies and the +events that are passing, it is curious to reflect that his +first copy of English verses (written, as he assured me, +before he came to Eton, and consequently ere he was +twelve years of age) was on the Slavery of Greece, and +contains a fervent exhortation and prayer for the +liberation of its inhabitants. It is to be found in the +5th number of <i>The Microcosm</i>.</p> + +<p>The least successful in that juvenile work was John +Hookham Frere; yet he had a genius better adapted +to letters than any of his coadjutors. Although indistinct +or, at least, inconsistent in his reasoning, he +excelled them all in originality of thought, humour, +and expression. His merits (to use a happy phrase of +his own) were of a manufacture less suited to foreign +export than to home consumption. It was therefore +mistaken friendship in Mr. Canning to engage him in +diplomacy. His artless temper, his ill-directed suspicions, +his absence, occasional rudeness, and habitual +indolence and singularity, all obviously disqualified +him for that line. Had he been employed in England, +his devotion to his friends, the ardour of his mind, +and the stores of his memory, but, above all, the +originality of his humour, would doubtless have made +him a first-rate political writer. Had he yet more +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span>fortunately confined himself to literature, his genius +might have raised him to the character of an original +critic and moralist, and perhaps have placed him on +the same form with those poets who have furnished +the best models of excellence in our language. As +it was, the very habits which disqualified him for +serious business added a zest to his conversation and +gave a relish to all private intercourse with him in +society. You laughed with him when he was facetious, +you smiled at him when he was odd. He had warm +and generous affections, but it was shrewdly observed +of him that his attachments, like those of a cat, were +stronger to places than to persons.</p> + +<p>He was the only man ever so enamoured of +quarantine, as to linger beyond his time in a +<i>Lazaretto</i>, and quit it with reluctance and almost by +compulsion. I have known him detained in a house +for more than a fortnight, by a secret plot with his +servant to neglect his orders and not to drive round +the carriage, pack up his things, or announce the hour +of his departure. He has been in his carriage on the +eve of a long journey, and suddenly induced to get out +of it in search of a book left behind in the room, +where, finding and beginning to read it, he has thrown +himself into a chair, and insensibly allowed the day +to pass, and almost as imperceptibly postponed his +intended departure for a week. The peculiar character +of his humour is not easily described. His repartees +or sayings, when deliberately recounted, do not preserve +it. There was a playful archness in his sarcasms, +keen but not offensive. There was a felicity in his +phraseology (though he was not fluent) which, without +exceeding the tone of familiar conversation, +displayed a reach of fancy and strength of feeling +delightful and unusual. He was a superstitious +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span>admirer of past times. He loved to sneer at the +self-complacency with which our generation contemplates +its real or supposed improvements in philosophy +and the arts of life. When the unproductive state +of the Peninsula was objected to his exaggerated +praises of Spain and Portugal, he replied that “he +loved a country where God Almighty kept large +portions of land in his own hands.”</p> + +<p>He had read little or nothing systematically, but he +devoured every book that fell within his reach, and remembered +all he met with in such desultory studies +with an accuracy almost miraculous. Such facility of +emotion, combined with a strong propensity to exercise +his faculties on every subject presented to his mind, +made him a very indulgent critic. He not only saw +much more in a book than the author ever intended to +convey, but he frequently built systems on foundations +created by his own imagination and in no degree +warranted by the work in which he fancied that he +had discovered them.</p> + +<p>What Montesquieu said of Voltaire is true of +him, “Tous les livres qu’il lit, il les fait; après quoi +il approuve ou critique ce qu’il a fait.” Hence he +delighted in authors who deal in obscure allusions, +whimsical images, and fanciful theories. Rabelais +and Aristophanes were among his favourites. He +was not only capable of tasting the satire, poetry, +and wit of the latter, but he lent most of those +qualities to every indifferent passage of his plays, +discerning in every word more than struck the ear, +and ascribing to the whole composition a systematic +and patriotic design which was certainly never professed, +and probably never harboured, by the writer. +According to Frere, it was not gaiety, vanity, or +malignity, which induced the great Athenian comic +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span>poet to libel the best man of his country and expose +the first tragedian of his time to the ridicule of the +rabble; it was, forsooth, a due sense of the pernicious +effects of a mistaken theory of morals, and a deliberate +apprehension of the consequences of an enervated and +effeminate taste in composition. His scurrility and +buffoonery were patriotic endeavours to rescue his +countrymen from the persuasive philosophy of Socrates +and the seductive poetry of Euripides.</p> + +<p>In the interval between school and college I made +a tour in Scotland, but I missed, on that and some +subsequent occasions, the advantage of making acquaintance +with the Principal, Robertson, the historian,⁠<a id="FNanchor_327" href="#Footnote_327" class="fnanchor">[327]</a> +to whom I had letters of introduction. In +truth, I heard very little conversation on literature +in that northern land of letters, except strictures on +the spirit and criticisms on the details of Dr. Johnson’s +<i>Tour to the Hebrides</i>. That work and the poems of +Ossian were then comparatively recent publications. +They had not ceased to excite, in a different manner +though nearly to an equal degree, the passions of the +<i>literati</i> in Scotland, where society, though divided on +other topics, is and ever will be singularly tenacious +on such as in any way affect their national character +or reputation. Boswell was accused of having sacrificed +his country to his authorship, of having led the +English philosopher into the least attractive regions +and least polished society he could find, with the view +of provoking epigrams and extorting sarcasms wherewith +to season his narrative and give a zest to tales +otherwise insipid and uninteresting. It was Henry +Erskine,⁠<a id="FNanchor_328" href="#Footnote_328" class="fnanchor">[328]</a> afterwards Lord Advocate, who termed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span>Boswell “the Bear Leader,” and pretended that on +being introduced to Dr. Johnson in the streets of +Edinburgh, he had simply bowed to the stranger, +but turned round to his countryman and slipped +half-a-crown into his hand with thanks for the show.</p> + +<p>In no town in which I ever resided did I see less +of men distinguished for learning and literature than +in Oxford during the two years I spent in that +University. Tom Warton⁠<a id="FNanchor_329" href="#Footnote_329" class="fnanchor">[329]</a> was dead before I was +entered, and his place in Trinity College was ill supplied +by a gentleman of the name of Kett,⁠<a id="FNanchor_330" href="#Footnote_330" class="fnanchor">[330]</a> as an +epigram very current in those days attests, <i>viz.</i>,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">The glorious sun of Trinity is set,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And naught shines now but farthing candle Kett.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>Mr. Crowe,⁠<a id="FNanchor_331" href="#Footnote_331" class="fnanchor">[331]</a> the public orator, a fellow of New +College, had more merit. As a Latin scholar he was +without a rival, as a poet he was not despicable. +Mr. Rogers has so unfeigned an admiration for his +works that he seldom travels without a copy of +them, as well as of Gray, in his chaise pocket. His +verses on the installation of the Duke of Portland⁠<a id="FNanchor_332" href="#Footnote_332" class="fnanchor">[332]</a> +contain an invective against war worthy of Milton +himself. But his Whig, not to say Republican, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span>propensities, which peep forth in that very poem, were +so offensive in Oxford that blemishes in his moral +character were remembered, and perhaps invented, to +justify the neglect he experienced from successive +Governments and the little store set by the University +on his productions and lectures. His manners, it +must be acknowledged, as well as his habits, were +somewhat coarse and unsocial.</p> + +<p>Dr. Sibthorp,⁠<a id="FNanchor_333" href="#Footnote_333" class="fnanchor">[333]</a> who, I believe, succeeded his father +in the Botanical Chair, and who travelled and died +in Greece, had acquired some celebrity in his humble +walk of science. An awkward circumstance was said +to have occurred on his application for the professorship. +To qualify, the candidate must be furnished +with testimonials not only of having studied, but of +having actually practised, physic. Dr. Sibthorp had, +indeed, attended the sick, but then there were none +alive to attest it; so that in adducing proof of his +having exercised his profession, he was compelled to +raise a strong presumption of his unfitness for it, and +to divulge the mortifying fact that not one of his few +patients had survived his prescriptions.</p> + +<p>Dr. Cyril Jackson,⁠<a id="FNanchor_334" href="#Footnote_334" class="fnanchor">[334]</a> Dean of Christ Church, enjoyed +and deserved great reputation as the head of a college. +He had some general knowledge, was a good scholar, +and by some little artifices of manner, as well as by +many real acts of benevolence, contrived to excite in +the young men much respect for the institutions of +the University and great notions of his dignity, +abilities, and virtues. He was, in truth, a very +honourable, disinterested, and warm-hearted man. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span>He taught, however, and, I believe, felt, so indiscriminate +a veneration for all received opinions +because they were received, that he became, without +meanness, a worshipper of rank, and, although not +destitute of sagacity and utterly exempt from the +mean passions of envy or jealousy, a favourer of +mediocrity. The effect, though not intention, of his +system, could it have prevailed, would have been to +leave all prejudices unmolested, and thereby to slacken +exertion and discourage improvement, to inculcate +caution on his pupils till he had damped their genius, +and to reduce all political and literary merit to deference +for authority and prudent admiration of acknowledged +excellence. He had been employed under +Markham, Archbishop of York, in the education of the +Prince of Wales and Frederick, Duke of York. That +circumstance gave him access to both those Princes +throughout his life: and he affected more than he +actually enjoyed, recounting to his listeners at Oxford, +at one time, the blunt reproofs, at others, the friendly +advice he had given to his Royal pupils. From +compliance with George III.’s partiality, or from a +genuine preference of manly character over quickness +of parts, he always professed more attachment to the +Duke of York than the Prince of Wales. The latter, +aware of his predilections and nettled at them, took +an odd method of revenging himself by retaliation. +In all companies he launched forth in commendation +of William Jackson, younger brother of the Dean.⁠<a id="FNanchor_335" href="#Footnote_335" class="fnanchor">[335]</a> +He would extol his merits as a companion, friend, +and scholar, though he well knew him to be a dull, +selfish, and ordinary man; and he studiously represented +him as superior to his brother, though he owed +to the celebrity and friendship of that brother what +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span>little credit or reputation he enjoyed at college, as +well as all the preferment, including the Bishopric +of Oxford, that he obtained in the Church.</p> + +<p>Dr. Beddoes⁠<a id="FNanchor_336" href="#Footnote_336" class="fnanchor">[336]</a> had not closed his lectures when I +first went to college, but I never attended them; nor +did I become acquainted with the lecturer till he had +retired from the University in consequence of some +disgust arising either from his opinions in politics +and religion, or from the peculiarities of his temper, +which was neither conciliatory nor tractable.⁠<a id="FNanchor_337" href="#Footnote_337" class="fnanchor">[337]</a> He +was a man of science and of genius, but by no means +successful as a lecturer. His figure and delivery were +ungraceful, his language inflated and ambitious, and +he was so singularly awkward in the mechanical +part of his experiments that they generally failed, +and he was then compelled to proceed in his discourse +on the hypothesis that the result had been the +reverse of that which the eyes of his audience would +have led them to believe. He contributed, however, +to the advancement both of chemistry and medicine, +and had the merit of discovering the talents and +directing the labours and studies of an indigent youth +who afterwards became Sir Humphry Davy. All his +writings, whether on politics or science, are eloquent +and original, but they betray great want of taste, +judgment, and prudence. He was rash and paradoxical +in the extreme. He above once announced +discoveries which he was obliged to retract; and Dr. +Ingenhousz⁠<a id="FNanchor_338" href="#Footnote_338" class="fnanchor">[338]</a> (who somewhat enjoyed his discomfiture) +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[325]</span>blamed him more for his ignominious candour in +abandoning, than his hasty presumption in publishing, +such crude and erroneous conjectures. As an instance +of his bad taste in language and conversation, +I remember that when asked by Lord Lansdown⁠<a id="FNanchor_339" href="#Footnote_339" class="fnanchor">[339]</a> +how an election at Bristol was likely to go, he began +his reply with these words, “My Lord, when the +floodgates of the human mind are once opened....” I +believe Lord Lansdown and his audience were not +much disposed to await the torrent of eloquence and +metaphysical reasoning which was to ensue. In proof +of the wildness of his theories, suffice it to mention +that he seriously maintained the non-existence of +bodily pain. It was the mere effect of education: +and a child properly trained for that purpose would +find it a pleasurable sensation, and what we consider +as pleasurable sensations might, by an opposite +system of discipline from that usually practised, be +rendered odious and disagreeable and abhorrent to +our desires. He afterwards undertook the tuition +of young men; and the acquirements of his pupils +(of whom Mr. Lambton was one), as well as their +attachment to the memory of their preceptor, do much +credit to his head and heart.</p> + +<p>The same commendation may be bestowed on the +person next presented to my recollection, Dr. Parr.⁠<a id="FNanchor_340" href="#Footnote_340" class="fnanchor">[340]</a> +Though a Cambridge man, he frequently visited +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span>Oxford, where he lodged at the house of his friend +Dr. Routh,⁠<a id="FNanchor_341" href="#Footnote_341" class="fnanchor">[341]</a> Principal of Magdalen, a quiet, learned, +and benevolent man, a Tory in his principles and a +recluse in his habits. Dr. Parr’s reputation for +scholarship and his zeal for Whig politics, together +with the singularity of his countenance, dress, habits, +and manners, rendered him an object of much curiosity +and some little dread, both to the tutors and undergraduates. +His visits formed a sort of era in Oxford. +His sayings were repeated, his appearance, his monstrous +wig, his velvet coat, his lisping speech and +penetrating eye, his love of smoking, and affected +laugh with his shoulders, were the topics of conversation +in all the Common rooms and wine parties in +the University.</p> + +<p>This was precisely what he sought for. It was +the sort of celebrity that delighted him. He panted, +indeed, for opportunities of conflict with the High +Churchmen of the place, with the hope of astonishing +the undergraduates by the boldness of his paradoxes, +the variety of his quotations, and the wit of his +retorts. But the heads of Houses and professors +were by no means disposed to indulge him in such +intellectual gymnastics. They are seldom inclined +to court notoriety, and they seemed somewhat +afraid of Dr. Parr. At Christ Church, our superiors +refrained from courting him with any ostentation of +civility, but they were wonderfully cautious not to +offend by any remarks on his maxims in scholarship, +politics, and divinity, though printed in sermons and +pamphlets and circulated very freely in conversation +by his admirers in the University. A distant sneer +or an arch inquiry was the utmost symptom of hostility +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[327]</span>ever hazarded against this active champion of every +cause they disapproved.⁠<a id="FNanchor_342" href="#Footnote_342" class="fnanchor">[342]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Among the professors at Oxford there was indeed +one who had good cause for fear, and yet more for +resentment, against Dr. Parr, had he had the ability +to gratify it. This was Dr. White,⁠<a id="FNanchor_343" href="#Footnote_343" class="fnanchor">[343]</a> the Arabic +Professor. He had signalised himself a few years +before by the publication of his Bampton lectures, +which were hailed by the orthodox as a triumph for +Christianity over Islamism achieved by a member of +the Church of England, and by the Oxonians as a +proof of the success with which the Oriental languages +were studied in their University.</p> + +<p>But short-lived was their exaltation. It was soon +discovered that a Nonconformist minister, of the +name of Badcock, had, for a stipulated sum (which, +I think, the professor in an evil hour disputed with +his executors), furnished much of the reasoning +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[328]</span>and of the Arabic of that vaunted publication. +Upon that detection, Dr. Parr, with more eagerness +and less generosity than was usual in him, exclaimed, +“I, too, could pluck a feather from the crest +of that Oxford Phœnix”; and he accordingly made +good his claim to several Greek quotations and other +admired passages in the lectures. Thus were the +hopes of orthodoxy and Oxford suddenly blighted, +or rather, the harvest they expected to reap cruelly +wrested from them and divided between Nonconformity +and Cambridge. Poor Dr. White, stripped +of his borrowed plumes, was hooted at and reviled +by all the satirists and witlings of the day.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Cui color <i>albus</i> erat, nunc est contrarius <i>albo</i>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">The obvious punning quotation of George Selwyn +was repeated by every schoolboy, and the professor, +though he had raised himself from a low condition +in life by learning only, and was, in truth, a good +Arabic scholar, a studious, simple,⁠<a id="FNanchor_344" href="#Footnote_344" class="fnanchor">[344]</a> and inoffensive +man, could never re-establish his credit or advance +his fortune. He edited, in vain, some Oriental works; +he acquired no fame and obtained little preferment.⁠<a id="FNanchor_345" href="#Footnote_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>To return to Dr. Parr, I was introduced to him by +Mr. Canning, who had made his acquaintance at Mr. +Sheridan’s or at Crewe Hall. I do not enlarge on +his moral, intellectual, or political virtues, all which +were very great, because the publications devoted to +his memory will be full of them. My task is only +to preserve some diverting but harmless foibles in +his manners and conversation, which the dignity of +graver biographers will very probably suppress.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span></p> + +<p>I should, however, be sorry, were my reader to imagine +that I was really insensible to Dr. Parr’s many +excellent qualities of head and heart, his learning, +his eloquence, his political consistency and integrity, +his warm affections, disinterestedness, and generosity. +Of the latter virtue especially, I have known many +instances in his conduct to his pupils. None, however, +but such as have seen him in a society of undergraduates, +surrounded by old pupils and young +admirers over whom he exercised unlimited jurisdiction +in all matters of taste and learning, can believe the +liberties he took or the absurdities into which his +vanity betrayed him. So little was any interchange +of ideas necessary to gratify him that he launched +forth in praise of the extraordinary <i>erudition</i> of his +neighbour at a public dinner on a Gaudy day, who +turned out to be neither more nor less than the beadle +of the college, admitted by old usage to a seat at +the table on such solemn occasions, but aspiring +to no further academical attainments than the sweeping⁠<a id="FNanchor_346" href="#Footnote_346" class="fnanchor">[346]</a> +the quadrangles, or, at the utmost, writing down +the name of the students for whom the gates were +opened after sunset. He had, however, no doubt +earned the panegyric bestowed upon him, by listening +with profound silence and veneration to the Latin +and Greek which Dr. Parr had poured into his ears. +The Doctor enlarged with great complacency on the +effect, as well as Latinity, of his preface to Bellendenus.⁠<a id="FNanchor_347" href="#Footnote_347" class="fnanchor">[347]</a> +He had introduced into that work some severe +strictures on the character of Mr. Pitt’s eloquence, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span>and he observed that his friend Mr. Horner thought +it would “turn that Minister out”; but then he would +add, with an appearance of overstrained humility, +“But Horner is a sanguine man.”</p> + +<p>He told us, I well remember, that he suspected +Pitt of a settled design of subverting the idiom of +the language, as well as overturning the constitution. +“The dog talks grammar,” he said, “but it is an +insidious masked battery under which he may better +assail our idiom.” Then he would relate how he +had sat in the gallery of the House of Commons and +thrown his “whole grammatical mind” upon the +orator, a process which he acted with most significant +gestures, and then added, “The dog caught my +eye, and chastised his faulty phraseology.”</p> + +<p>There was a report at that time that our late fellow-collegian, +Mr. Jenkinson (afterwards Lord Liverpool +and Prime Minister), had been entrusted with a +mission to the French Princes, who had taken refuge +and were then meditating war against their country +at Coblentz. Dr. Parr inveighed against such an +appointment, but we were all somewhat startled +upon discovering that it was not the mission but the +choice of the envoy alone which scandalised him. So +young a man, he observed, could not be equal to it; +and although he would himself never serve Billy (for +so he contemptuously termed Mr. Pitt), that Premier +would do well to look out for a clergyman of such +habits, sagacity, and scholarship as himself, to ascertain +the views and fathom the designs of those revolted +Princes on the Rhine.</p> + +<p>In speaking of living scholars, metaphysicians, and +writers, he would frequently name those whom he +thought the first and the third in each department +of excellence; but he always omitted the second, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[331]</span>manifestly reserving that place for himself, and as +manifestly pluming himself on his modesty in not +asserting his right to the first, which he hoped his +auditors would in their hearts assign him. In this +scale of excellence he always placed Mr. Porson⁠<a id="FNanchor_348" href="#Footnote_348" class="fnanchor">[348]</a> at +the head of our Greek scholars. It was just and +prudent to do so. The concurrent testimony of all +his contemporaries would have granted to that gentleman +the same pre-eminence that Dr. Parr, perhaps +rather reluctantly, assigned him.</p> + +<p>Porson was in scholarship <i>facile princeps</i>; in memory +he was a prodigy; in wit and understanding a much +more extraordinary man than such prodigies usually +are. Persons intimate with him have assured me that +he not only knew most of the ancient poets and all the +Greek tragedians by heart, but would repeat nearly +<i>verbatim</i> the notes of the most approved editions. +He usually did so when any passage was quoted in +his presence, specifying the page, the column, and +the place of the respective editions, where the passage +itself and the notes he had repeated were to be found. +His recollection of words was certainly not confined +to poetry or eloquence. He could, and did often, recite +long and dull comments in Greek, Latin, and English, +<i>verbatim</i>. He knew all the notes of Gibbon by heart; +and when sentences of the text of that historian or +of any of his favourite works (among which Foote’s +Farces must be reckoned) were read or alluded to, +he usually finished the paragraph or scene without +omitting a word. He was not, like Napoleon, a great +proficient in mathematics; but he had, like him, a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[332]</span>memory as retentive of numbers as of everything +else. He occasionally took an unaccountable pleasure +in repeating large sums, and had a tiresome trick of +counting them aloud, especially after he had drunk +much wine, and was disposed by such a test to prove +to himself that his faculties were not sensibly impaired +thereby.</p> + +<p>Such peculiarities did not add to his charms as +a companion. I never saw him but twice, and on +both occasions in a club, where he was a visitor +and not a member,⁠<a id="FNanchor_349" href="#Footnote_349" class="fnanchor">[349]</a> and where he had little opportunity +of display, except indeed by long quotations +from Hickes’ <i>Thesaurus</i> and other singular rather +than agreeable proofs of the extent and accuracy +of his memory. When I asked him to my house he +peremptorily declined coming; on my repeating my +invitation, he sent me word that he had “broken his +leg and could not come,” though he was frequently +met about the same time walking in the streets. +Perhaps he was affronted at my sending the invitation +by a common friend, instead of calling myself, +or perhaps he was on that, as on other occasions, +extremely jealous of being invited as a show. Such, +at least, was the interpretation frequently put by him +on the marks of homage which slight acquaintances, +and even strangers, were naturally disposed to pay +to his extraordinary talents and celebrity.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[333]</span></p> + +<p>In recording such misplaced pride and false notions +of independence, it is just to add that in the more +important concerns of life his sense of honour was +to the full as susceptible and his spirit as inflexible. +He sacrificed without ostentation great advantages +of station and prospects of fortune to conscience. +Having eluded the manœuvres and rejected the +solicitations of those who urged him to qualify for a +clerical fellowship in his college, as well as subsequent +preferment by taking holy orders, he, from the same +scruple and dislike of the Thirty-nine Articles, was +willing to forego the favourite object of his ambition, +the Greek Professorship at Cambridge. His sarcastic +letter to Dr. Postlethwaite,⁠<a id="FNanchor_350" href="#Footnote_350" class="fnanchor">[350]</a> on that occasion, +establishes beyond dispute both his disapprobation +of those Articles and his conscientious adherence +to truth at the expense of interest and advancement. +When one reflects that he had no private fortune, +no rich connections,⁠<a id="FNanchor_351" href="#Footnote_351" class="fnanchor">[351]</a> no expectations whatever, such +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[334]</span>inflexibility of principle and self-respect must extort +one’s admiration and applause. His conduct is the +more praiseworthy, as it was dictated neither by the +vanity of fanaticism nor the zeal of making proselytes. +What his particular opinions on religion were is not +known; at least, he never took much pains to promulgate +them. He speaks of himself as not a “sound +believer” in the Church sense of that word. Whether +he confined his objections to the peculiar creed of the +Church of England, or denied revelation altogether, +I have never ascertained.</p> + +<p>While resident at the University, although avowedly +not orthodox, he abstained himself [from], and discountenanced +in others, all scoffs at Christianity. +His subsequent habits and intimacies must have +familiarised him with great freedom of conversation +on such topics; and it was generally supposed that +he was a sceptic or freethinker. As a scholar and +critic, in which capacities his authority will ever be +greatest, his testimony was manifestly unfavourable +to the Trinitarian interpretation of Scripture. His +masterly letters to Archdeacon Travis finally exploded +the verse of St. John—the only text approaching to +a direct assertion of three persons in the Godhead.⁠<a id="FNanchor_352" href="#Footnote_352" class="fnanchor">[352]</a> +His conviction that the New Testament never predicates +in positive terms, nor implies by fair inference +from language the existence of the Trinity, seems +almost acknowledged in his writings. It was not, I +apprehend, concealed, much less denied, by him in +conversation. The Trinitarians, who are disposed to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[335]</span>stigmatise their Arian and Unitarian adversaries as +dishonest and ignorant, must be prepared to maintain +some strong paradoxes with respect to celebrated +men. They must question the sincerity of Lardner, +and deny the learning of Milton, Clarke, Porson, and +Wakefield.⁠<a id="FNanchor_353" href="#Footnote_353" class="fnanchor">[353]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Porson had more particles of pride than vanity, +and more principle than affection, in his composition. +But had it not been for the vice of drunkenness in +which he indulged in a manner that degraded him, +he would have been a respectable man in character +as well as abilities and acquirements. He could +never have been an amiable one. Yet was he a friend +to liberty, and by no means indifferent to the improvement +of mankind. In that respect he was the +reverse of Swift, whom in other points he resembled +and in some little degree rivalled. Swift said he could +love Jack or Jem, but hated and despised the human +race. Porson, on the contrary, had some benevolence +for the species, but seemed incapable of loving Jack, +Jem, or any individual. His English verses (fragments +rather than poems) seem, from their extreme +exactness in rhyme, rhythm, and expression, to have +cost as much pains as those of Swift himself. They +are to the full as biting and malignant.</p> + +<p>In the two most successful efforts of his muse, <i>viz.</i>, +his verses on the fellows of Trinity College, and +his address to Cambridge on the admission of the +young Duke of Gloucester, there is so much indecency +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[336]</span>blended with the satire that, although among the +best lampoons in our language, I shall not venture +to insert them....</p> + +<p>Specimens of his repartees are more common and +have more merit; but I am afraid of repeating things +elsewhere preserved and generally known. When +some enthusiastic admirer of the knot of writers +called “Lake Poets,” in extolling Wordsworth, +Southey, and the rest <i>qui pauperes esse volunt et +pauperes sunt</i>, emphatically predicted that they would +be read when Virgil, Milton, Dryden, and Pope were +forgotten, “I agree with you, and <i>not till then</i>,” was +the dry and contemptuous answer of Porson. When +pressed, after a tiresome metaphysical disquisition by +Dr. Parr, to give his opinion on the origin of moral +and physical evil: “Why, I think,” said he, “Doctor, +we should have done very well without them.”</p> + +<p>There was a project for sending him with Lord +Elgin’s⁠<a id="FNanchor_354" href="#Footnote_354" class="fnanchor">[354]</a> Embassy to Constantinople, in the hope that +he might discover, decipher, and elucidate manuscripts, +inscriptions, documents, and other remains +of antiquity. Whether the objections to such an +appointment originated with himself or Lord Elgin, I +know not. The latter has been reproached with it. +But it is just to remark that Porson, scholar and wit +as he was, would, from the intemperance of his habits +and the perverse susceptibility of his temper, have +been rather a troublesome inmate, especially in a +residence where during the war there was no resource +for society but within the walls of the Embassy. +His place was supplied by Mr. Carlyle⁠<a id="FNanchor_355" href="#Footnote_355" class="fnanchor">[355]</a> and Dr. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[337]</span>Hunt. The former translated and published some +very pretty specimens of Arabic poetry; the latter, +who was afterwards chaplain to the Duke of Bedford +in Ireland, became a very useful magistrate in +Bedfordshire, without neglecting the studies of +antiquity and <i>virtu</i> in which he had made great proficiency +in Greece and Asia Minor.</p> + +<p>To return to the worthies of Oxford during my +residence there. I knew few of the professors, nor +did many of them give the undergraduates opportunity +or inclination to cultivate their acquaintance +by the frequency or excellence of their lectures. Mr. +Wooddeson,⁠<a id="FNanchor_356" href="#Footnote_356" class="fnanchor">[356]</a> who filled the Vinerian Chair, had ceased +to deliver the lectures (which he published) before my +time. They have merit and learning, and though not +so complete nor so eloquent as those of his predecessor, +Blackstone,⁠<a id="FNanchor_357" href="#Footnote_357" class="fnanchor">[357]</a> they are certainly less tinged with +the peculiar tenets of the place in which they were +delivered than the commentaries of that perspicuous +writer and learned but somewhat obsequious judge.</p> + +<p>Dr. Wenman,⁠<a id="FNanchor_358" href="#Footnote_358" class="fnanchor">[358]</a> the professor of Civil Law, both +from his connections and his subject, was likely +to maintain tenets more congenial to the Metropolis +of Toryism. But his lectures attracted so little notice +and made so faint an impression on his auditors that +I have forgotten their character, and believe that I +never heard their merits even discussed.</p> + +<p>The Professor of Mathematics was Mr. Robison or +Mr. Robinson,⁠<a id="FNanchor_359" href="#Footnote_359" class="fnanchor">[359]</a> a Scotchman. He had taken his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[338]</span>degree, or at least had acquired his science, at +Glasgow; and Mr. Windham, before his hostility to +the French Revolution had weaned him from the +practice of irreverent jokes and excited in him some +hopes of representing the University in Parliament, +used to make himself merry at the expense of his +Alma Mater, who, finding such a dearth of science +among her own sons, had been compelled to send to +a northern and Presbyterian nursery for a mathematician +capable of filling her own chair.⁠<a id="FNanchor_360" href="#Footnote_360" class="fnanchor">[360]</a> The duties +required, however, by the office were either very light +or the northern luminary very scandalously neglected +them. I never heard of his lectures, his pupils, or +his examinations, and I shrewdly suspect he had +none.</p> + +<p>Dr. Hornsby,⁠<a id="FNanchor_361" href="#Footnote_361" class="fnanchor">[361]</a> Professor of Astronomy, did give +lectures, and they were not ill-attended. Yet they +were such as many a lad in a Scotch or foreign +University, and many an itinerant teacher unmatriculated +in any, could have easily supplied. Those +on divinity by Dr. Randolph⁠<a id="FNanchor_362" href="#Footnote_362" class="fnanchor">[362]</a> were probably distinguished +by more talent, and certainly possessed +learning seldom found and perhaps not often sought +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[339]</span>for out of the walls of a college. Yet they were no +favourites with the public, nor even with those young +men who were destined to Holy Orders. This was +owing to the slovenly delivery, awkward and obscure +phraseology, and rude, unpolished manners of the +lecturer. Under that exterior, however, the ungraceful +and ungracious priest, narrow-minded Tory as +he was, concealed a kind heart and a disinterested, +compassionate, and generous disposition. He became +first Bishop of Oxford, and afterwards of London, +where he died soon after his elevation to the see.</p> + +<p>In the Medical or Anatomical Chairs there was +no professor of superior, or even equal, eminence. +Grosvenor,⁠<a id="FNanchor_363" href="#Footnote_363" class="fnanchor">[363]</a> a very able surgeon, resident in Oxford, +was not, I believe, a member of the University, and +certainly filled no office in it. Sir Christopher, then +<i>Doctor</i> Pegge,⁠<a id="FNanchor_364" href="#Footnote_364" class="fnanchor">[364]</a> is chiefly remarkable for having been +the successful competitor of Dr. Vaughan, afterwards +Sir Henry Halford.⁠<a id="FNanchor_365" href="#Footnote_365" class="fnanchor">[365]</a> That more distinguished and +fortunate man thus owed to defeat the advantage +of settling in the only place where practice as extensive +as that which he exercised for more than thirty years +could have been obtained. If he did not derive from +his academical studies that physical activity and cheerfulness +and those qualities of sagacity and attractions +of manner which were the real causes of his success +in London and at Windsor, he at least brought from +Oxford that taste for pure Latinity and classical +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[340]</span>composition, which he loved to display with some degree +of self-complacency in the College of Physicians.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the protection of the Dean and +tutors of Christ Church, which had raised Pegge +to the Chair, could never render his anatomical school +famous beyond the walls of the University or popular +with the young men within them.⁠<a id="FNanchor_366" href="#Footnote_366" class="fnanchor">[366]</a> There was a +whisper among them that his science was superficial; +and even in judging of his diction and delivery, which +I am assured were above mediocrity, they unfairly +persisted in contrasting them with those of his +predecessor, Dr. Thompson, a man who had been +expelled the University, but the memory of whose +ready eloquence and extraordinary perspicuity survived +the ruin of his moral character and his consequent +retirement in Italy. He died after a residence of a few +years in that country, where his medical attainments +so far expiated his religious and other heresies that the +Pope condescended to consult him, and, if I mistake +not, to appoint him Physician-in-Ordinary. He was +a great mineralogist, and left a valuable collection of +specimens, which he directed by his will to be, in the +first instance, offered to Christ Church, and if refused +by that college to be transferred to the University of +Glasgow. Christ Church, as he foresaw, declined the +bequest. They could not do otherwise. They could +not question by implication the justice of that expulsion +inflicted by the University, to which their +representatives in the <i>Caput</i> had been a party. +Glasgow had no reason and probably no inclination +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[341]</span>to be so scrupulous. She accepted cheerfully a donation +from a stranger whose conduct had never +either directly or indirectly come under her cognizance.</p> + +<p>Respect or gratitude to John Hunter, who came from +the neighbourhood of Glasgow, may have induced +Dr. Thompson to confer such a favour on that +Northern University.⁠<a id="FNanchor_367" href="#Footnote_367" class="fnanchor">[367]</a> Hunter,⁠<a id="FNanchor_368" href="#Footnote_368" class="fnanchor">[368]</a> + possibly from reliance +on some partial representation or from the prepossessions +of friendship, but more probably from a zeal for +science, which deemed the protection of its interests +and of those capable of promoting it paramount to all +other considerations, had loudly arraigned the justice +of the proceedings against Thompson at Oxford, had +strongly dissuaded and lamented his precipitate retreat, +and was, even after that event, hardly prevailed +upon to suppress a pamphlet he had written in his +vindication. This proceeded from that same ardour +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[342]</span>or intrepidity of mind, which was the mainspring of +John Hunter’s actions throughout life, and the real +cause of his inquiries, discoveries, and celebrity; but +which nevertheless betrayed him occasionally into +acts of imprudence and passion, and subjected him, +even in his professional practice, to the imputation of +sacrificing his patients to his theory. His enemies, +who were many and virulent, no doubt took some +pains to blacken him; but there is no denying that +his judgment was occasionally clouded by an irascible +and tenacious temper.</p> + +<p>Even on subjects unconnected with his pursuits, and +where he had no right to assume authority, he was +apt to be positive, dogmatical, and angry. If such +instances of intemperate behaviour had been confined +to those which arose from his horror, real or affected, +of revolutionary principles, I should not have alluded +to them, even though they led him to exclude well-qualified +persons from professional advantages and +scientific Societies where their merits entitled them to +admission. Such prejudices were not only common, +but almost universal, during the unhappy epoch of the +French Revolution, with all persons who had attained +a certain station in society. They were the vices of +the time, not of the individual. Every man, especially +if not a professed politician, was a tyrant or an incendiary +at his heart, either disposed from feverish +alarm for his property to restrain, imprison, and +persecute his neighbour, or eager from envy, curiosity, +or enthusiasm to subvert all established order and to +realise the visionary theory of perfect equality among +men. If any one had a grain of candour or moderation, +it became his interest to conceal it. Consequently +those who, like John Hunter, were not opposed to the +Government of the day, appeared zealots and partizans +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[343]</span>in its favour, and from real contagion or selfish +compliance exhibited all the symptoms of earnestness +and injustice belonging to that character. But such +and other defects in John Hunter were deducible +from causes not connected with the violence of the +times.</p> + +<p>Perhaps in his dogmatical spirit, and certainly both +in the obscurity of his style and in his unbounded +self-applause and vanity, he betrayed the infirmities +which are often described as the invariable concomitants +of a late education, followed by a sudden +elevation to eminence and distinction. He told me +once in so many words that he thought himself a +greater man than Isaac Newton. The superiority he +had acquired in his own branch demanded, he said, +a more extraordinary union of qualities than any +proficiency in mathematics or astronomy; and discoveries +leading to a perfect knowledge of the human +frame were infinitely more useful to mankind than +any observation of the heavenly bodies could be.</p> + +<p>A childish love of paradox, or an obstinate adherence +to an opinion hastily enounced, made him +deny the efficacy of mineral springs. He contended +that an artificial mixture of the same ingredients, or +even the pure element alone heated to the same +degree of temperature, would produce the same effects +as Bath waters taken at the spot. Whenever they +failed to do so, it was, he maintained, the fault of +imagination. He assured me, in proof of this opinion, +that to one patient in London (I think his own wife) +he had prescribed common hot water, allowing it to +be so, without any success; but that when he had +filled Bath bottles with the same water and pretended +that they were received by the coach, she, after +boiling them, derived all the benefit from them that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[344]</span>she had expected from a course of the real waters +drunk fresh at the Pump Room.</p> + +<p>He had always a large belief in the influence of the +mind over the body, and recounted many singular +instances within his own observation where physical +phenomena were to be traced exclusively to mental +weakness or mental exertion. I know not whether he +considered the following incident, which I had from +his own lips, as any confirmation of his theory in his +own person. While engaged in inquiries in Natural +History, he kept a tiger or lion (I forget which) chained +to a cage or kennel at the bottom of the yard. As he +was sitting one hot day, as was his custom, slipshod +in his back parlour, with the window door half open +before him, he perceived the fierce animal disencumber +his neck of his collar, and, finding himself unrestrained, +prepared to spring over the wall of the adjoining +yard. John Hunter, alarmed at the mischief which +might ensue, and without any consideration of what +he was doing, issued from the room, seized the beast +by his neck or mane, and quietly reconducted him +to his place of confinement, where the animal permitted +him to refix the chain without the least symptom +of resistance. When this feat was thus fortunately +accomplished, John Hunter returned to the house; but +he had scarcely passed the threshold when the recollection +of the danger he had voluntarily encountered and +miraculously escaped suddenly rushed on his mind, +and overpowered him with such terror and amazement +that he fell senseless on the floor, and did not recover +for some minutes. He laboured under a disease +particularly alarming to a person subject to such +violent emotions, <i>viz.</i>, an affection of the heart, which +he told me and others would one day kill him going +upstairs or in a passion. The prediction was, it is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[345]</span>said, verified in the latter shape; he expired in the +act of repelling a contradiction which had provoked +him.⁠<a id="FNanchor_369" href="#Footnote_369" class="fnanchor">[369]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Whatever were his foibles and imperfections as +a man, a surgeon, and a writer, his inventive genius +and unremitting zeal in the investigation of anatomical +truths rendered his life highly useful to the +world, and promoted the science which tends more +directly than any other to mitigate the sufferings +incident to our species. He left several MSS. Many +think that they should have been conveyed to +Surgeons’ Hall, together with the Museum, and were +in equity, at least, included in the purchase. The +fact that they have been destroyed has excited some +disappointment and more indignation among men +of science, some of whom, however, have insinuated +that the benefit of any discoveries they may have +contained has not been lost to the world, but may +be found in the papers and publications of his brother-in-law +and executor, who destroyed them in their +original shape without any acknowledgment to the +inventor.</p> + +<p>John Hunter was neither polished in his manner +nor refined in his expression, but from originality +of thought and earnestness of mind he was +extremely agreeable in conversation; at least, to +me, in whom he somewhat hastily and very erroneously +inferred a turn for studies congenial to his +own, from the very unfeigned homage he perceived +me to pay to his talents and celebrity. His countenance +was indeed full of genius. The observation +of Lavater on the engraving from the admirable +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[346]</span>portrait of him by Sir Joshua Reynolds, “That man +thinks for himself,” must have occurred to less +professed physiognomists in every casual intercourse +with the original.</p> + +<p>I visited Lavater himself⁠<a id="FNanchor_370" href="#Footnote_370" class="fnanchor">[370]</a> in 1791 in Switzerland. +He then enjoyed great celebrity throughout Europe. +His fanciful theories, though never admitted by men +of reflection, were yet the subject of some study +and more curiosity, especially among artists. If it +was a rash attempt in him to reduce physiognomy +to a science, he had himself some good personal +reasons for inculcating a faith in the impressions +produced by the countenance and figure of a man. +His own bespoke no little intelligence and yet greater +benevolence. He was, I believe, an enthusiast in +religion, and probably, in his pretended science, the +sincere dupe of his own ingenuity. However, like +other professors of similar sciences, he delighted in +delineating the characters of those whose qualities +had been reported to him by common fame or were +actually known to him by familiar intercourse, rather +than of those to whose peculiarities he had no guide +but such as their features furnished him with. He +gave, for instance, a sketch of Mr. Fox, whom he had +seen at Berne in 1788; but of Mr. Windham, who was +with him at that time, and who was remarkable for +a characteristic countenance and appearance, he made +no delineation. The fame of Mr. Fox’s eloquence +and abilities had reached Lavater, but Mr. Windham’s +celebrity as an orator was, at that time, confined to +England, and the philosopher thought it indiscreet +to trust to his visionary prognostics of disposition and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[347]</span>talents, when he had no previous clue from public +notoriety or private information to guide him in his +researches.</p> + +<p>There was, indeed, one celebrated Englishman then +resident in the same country, whose appearance would +have baffled him—Mr. Gibbon, the historian. His +friends, with more zeal to gratify public curiosity +than kindness to him, have been at great pains to +preserve drawings and descriptions of his disgusting +figure and revolting features. They are +not caricatures. His countenance expressed neither +quickness nor reflection. No man could have +surmised from his inanimate yet hideous face +that he possessed such powers of application and +such faculties of wit and reasoning as his works +unquestionably display, and as observant persons +might have discovered, though in much fainter lines, +in his conversation. His devotion to letters was the +most estimable part of his character. It gives great +interest to his memoirs, which are entertaining and +instructive. As to affections, he seems to have had +none. He was more like what he admired and produced, +a large book, than a living member of society.</p> + +<p>He was affected in his manner and sometimes +ludicrously vain. I have been told that he imagined +himself handsome. When somebody, presuming on +that foible, ventured to try the extent of his conceit +by telling him he was like Mr. Fox, whose face, full +of kindness and intelligence, had nothing in common +with his but a sallow complexion and dark eyebrows, +Gibbon pettishly replied, “that any likeness to Mr. +Fox in understanding or disposition he should deem +an honour, but he could not be flattered with a supposed, +and he hoped a mistaken, resemblance to his +person.” Even in the latter period of his life he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[348]</span>occasionally hinted at his amorous propensities, and +invited his friends to banter him on supposed but impossible +debaucheries. More human senses than one +must have been suspended in his favour, to render his +enormous and disgusting complaint imperceptible to +his friends and acquaintance.</p> + +<p>His want of principle in politics was obvious +enough from the incidents of his life, but it was an +odd act of friendship in Lord Sheffield⁠<a id="FNanchor_371" href="#Footnote_371" class="fnanchor">[371]</a> to furnish +the public with so many proofs of it from his correspondence. +There is an anecdote respecting his +acceptance of a seat at the Board of Trade, which, +though rather of a political than literary cast, I will +relate here. Mr. Fox wrote in a presentation copy of +the first volume of the <i>Roman History</i> words to this +effect: “This gentleman told me on the Monday +that no good would be done till the heads of Lord +North and his colleagues were laid on the table of +the House of Commons, and on the Saturday the +same gentleman accepted a place under Lord North.” +Some years afterwards an execution took place in +Mr. Fox’s house. He had consigned his books to +another person; but the creditors contended the books +were his, and the question was tried in the Common +Pleas, where Lord Loughborough, a particular friend +of Mr. Gibbon, presided. The counsel for the +creditors argued that the books really belonged to +Mr. Fox, from notes in his handwriting being found +in the blank leaves. Some question arose on the +admissibility of the notes as evidence; the Court +seemed inclined to admit them. But when, in the +course of the argument, the book had been handed +up to Lord Loughborough, the friend prevailed over +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[349]</span>the judge, and he earnestly, if not peremptorily, +prevented the public perusal of them.</p> + +<p>The song on Gibbon’s acceptance of office,⁠<a id="FNanchor_372" href="#Footnote_372" class="fnanchor">[372]</a> which +begins:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">King George in a fright</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Lest Gibbon should write</div> + <div class="verse indent0">The story of Britain’s disgrace, etc.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">was erroneously ascribed by common report to +Mr. Fox. It was, I believe, one among the many +effusions of General FitzPatrick, who, if he fell at +all short in bitter, sarcastic humour, equalled in wit +and excelled in taste and refinement, as well as in +harmony, the political poet of the preceding generation, +Sir Charles Hanbury Williams.</p> + +<p>Gibbon had lived in some familiarity with the +society that surrounded Mr. Fox, although they +were neither sparing of their censures on his political +tergiversation nor very indulgent to his affectations +in writing and conversation. It was he who first +introduced Mr. Sheridan to Mr. Fox, after the former +had written <i>The Rivals</i>.⁠<a id="FNanchor_373" href="#Footnote_373" class="fnanchor">[373]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>During the two days I had the advantage of passing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[350]</span>with Mr. Gibbon at Lausanne, he dwelt with much +complacency on a variety of anecdotes and <i>bon mots</i> +of persons with whom I had been familiar from my +childhood. Many of them I had heard before from +others, and most, if not all of them, I should judge +by his studied manner of relating them, adjusting, as +he did most carefully, the rap of his snuff-box and +the twist of his finger and thumb to the point of the +jest, he had been in the habit of frequently repeating. +They were, however, diverting, instructive, and well +told. I remember that among them he recited some +verses of Mr. Hare. Full of vivacity, humour, and +fancy as was that most ready and brilliant of all +fashionable wits, he seldom committed any specimen +of his talents to paper, either in verse or prose.</p> + +<p>From the variety, therefore, if not the merit, of such +a performance, the rhymes which Gibbon recollected +and I afterwards ascertained to be authentic, may be +acceptable to my reader. Mr. Hare, from the want +of a better office, had been destined by his friend +and early schoolfellow, Mr. Fox, during one of his +short Ministries, to the mission to Warsaw; and he +thereupon vented his sense of the necessity but disagreeableness +of the appointment, almost extempore, +in the following lines:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Having been born to no land,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">’Tis thought that I must go to Poland;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">So having long exhausted all tick,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I soon, alas! must cross the Baltic.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of all the towns I read of or saw,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">I least expected seeing Warsaw:</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And now <i>’tisn’t ten to one</i>⁠<a id="FNanchor_374" href="#Footnote_374" class="fnanchor">[374]</a> I a’nt sick</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Before I ever get to Dantzic.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">With the exception of some very trifling <i>jeux d’esprit</i>, +the above are, I believe, the only verses Mr. Hare +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[351]</span>ever wrote, or at least acknowledged, after he had +left school, where, if I mistake not, he distinguished +himself by an English exercise.</p> + +<p>Having thus incidentally mentioned Mr. Hare, I will +endeavour to give some notion of him here, for his wit +and <i>bon mots</i>, exquisite and delightful as they were, +were not of a kind that bear repetition, nor such as the +recollection of the events of the day or the state of +parties brings back naturally to one’s mind. He was, +indeed, all fire and fancy. His starting eyes and eager +countenance seemed animated, and his slender frame +emaciated, by the vivacity of his genius [and] his keen +sense of ridicule; and the felicity of his language was +inspired by the earnestness with which he felt what +he expressed. His knowledge was confined to scholarship +and <i>belles lettres</i>; his judgment, except in matters +of taste and language, was not very remarkable; and +his temper was always impetuous, and occasionally +fretful. It rarely disfigured his manners, but it not +unfrequently gave such an edge of severity to his +wit, as raised more sympathy for his victim and +perhaps more terror than delight and admiration in +his audience. In short, he was occasionally unmerciful. +His vanity, disciplined and chastised by +good breeding and good taste, never exposed him +to ridicule; but when mortified it inflicted, I suspect, +some bitter sufferings in private and revenged itself +on some subsequent occasion by pitiless retaliation +on those who had offended him.</p> + +<p>Of his birth and family I knew little. His father, +who was, I believe, an apothecary at Bristol,⁠<a id="FNanchor_375" href="#Footnote_375" class="fnanchor">[375]</a> died +insolvent before, or soon after, his son had left Eton. +He consequently entered life almost without property. +He had no connections but such as his merits procured +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[352]</span>him at school, at college, and in the world. If, +as Horace affirms, the favour and friendship of distinguished +men constitute no slight commendation, +no person in English society ever earned a larger +portion of that reward in a manner more honourable +to himself than Mr. Hare. He married, indeed, early +in life, a lady (Miss Hume) with some money but no +beauty, and he was soon separated from her, but on +terms which, I believe, even her friends acknowledged +to be handsome and liberal on his part. Indeed, in +all <i>pecuniary</i> transactions he conducted himself, even +in the narrowest circumstances, with great honour +and disinterestedness. His figure, without deformity, +was neither robust nor elegant. His face, though full +of animation and exempt from any bad expression, +was not prepossessing. Yet to the honour of female +judgment in wit and conversation, more, I fear, than +to the happiness of those to whom he devoted his +attentions, few men were more successful in gallantry +with no external advantages. He dazzled and captivated +women of beauty, talent, and condition, by the +brilliancy of his wit, the vivacity of his imagination, +and a natural, unaffected earnestness of manner, in +which there was not the slightest tinge of vulgarity +or ill-breeding. But as, with due preservation of the +forms of society, he could be unmerciful to men who +had offended him, so I am afraid that, without departing +from the rules of good company, he was +occasionally sarcastic, cutting, and even cruel, to those +of the other sex who had had the imprudence of +pleasing him too much. He was, in truth, from over +refinement, too exquisitely sensitive and fastidious +not to tease himself and others with unnecessary +reproaches.</p> + +<p>In politics he was a follower and almost a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[353]</span>worshipper of Mr. Fox.⁠<a id="FNanchor_376" href="#Footnote_376" class="fnanchor">[376]</a> He had himself never +thought seriously on matters of State or principles of +government, but affection and gratitude attached him +to any opinion or party that his friend adopted. He +measured all men’s political merits and even talents +by the degree of devotion they paid to Mr. Fox. He +never attempted to speak in Parliament but once. +It was on a point of order, in which his friend had +been attacked. Rage almost choked his utterance, +and, as he used to relate, Mr. Fox, on his sitting down, +greeted him with a remark, more frank and natural +than encouraging, “What a fine, passionate fellow you +are!”⁠<a id="FNanchor_377" href="#Footnote_377" class="fnanchor">[377]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the part he took in politics was very +far from being indifferent or unuseful to the cause +he espoused or the friend he adhered to. He devoted +his wit and conversation to their service. The keenness +with which he, in private, exposed the fallacies +and disparaged the abilities of the adversary, came +wonderfully in aid of the public and more serious +exertions of the leader, to inspire his followers with +zeal for his person and with indignation and even +contempt for his most formidable opponents. If many +were convinced by Mr. Fox in the House of Commons +that the logic of the Minister was inconclusive and +the measures of Government pernicious, not a few, +especially of the young members of his party, were +equally wrought upon at supper at Brookes’, where +several of his early friends, and Mr. Hare in particular, +were wont to descant on the incidents of the +debate, to extol their supporters, and run down their +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[354]</span>adversaries. How often, heated with the enthusiasm +which conviviality, wit, and a common cause inspire, +have we left the room half persuaded that Mr. Pitt +was an empty declaimer, and his speech of that +night beneath criticism or even contempt!</p> + +<p>I record these practices, whether laudable or blameworthy, +merely to mark the difference which a change +in the habits of society has insensibly wrought in +political parties. Private dinners, tavern suppers, +convivial meetings, perhaps intemperance itself, constituted +a large portion of the ways and means of +public men some thirty or forty years ago. But +our usages have been altered. Social intercourse +is no longer confined to those <i>qui idem sentiunt de +republicâ</i>. The comparative disuse of men dinners, +improving no doubt the intercourse of private life, has +nevertheless very sensibly impaired the strength +and union of party zeal and connection.</p> + +<p>To return to Gibbon. He was naturally a great +object of veneration in the small town of Lausanne, +in which he resided: and he enjoyed the superiority +his celebrity gave him. If he did not positively +exact, he very complacently accepted, from all classes, +such homage as is rarely offered but to Royalty or +power. No amusement commenced where he was +expected until he had made his appearance. Poets +impatient to read their works, ladies equally so to +display their musical talents, and all convened to +partake of the Swiss collations called <i>thés</i> or <i>goûtées</i>, +generally suspended the indulgence of their respective +wishes till the presence and sanction of the great +historian allowed them to begin. I have been assured +that if the practice was ever departed from, +the oracles and responses of the idol never failed +to betray, although with becoming gentleness, that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[355]</span>he had remarked the omission. Such a life was +more suited to his taste, as well as to his bodily +powers, than either Parliament or the Militia. He +dwells, however, with some complacency on the latter +in his memoirs. He manifestly entertained some +pompous notions of the military knowledge he had +acquired in the country quarters of the Hampshire. +Indeed, in the MS., chiefly written in French, he +betrayed, according to Lord Sheffield, who showed +me the passage, the same predilection for his warlike +achievements. On his first acquaintance with +Lord Sheffield, then Mr. Holroyd, he writes: “Holroyd +est un homme d’esprit, mais un peu suffisant. +Il a tous les préjuges de son état (he was a Dragoon +officer) <i>contre la Milice</i>.” Some less partial persons +might perhaps have thought that the unfavourable +clause of the judgment, thus pronounced, was perfectly +intelligible without further explanation, but Lord +Sheffield himself accounted for it thus. He was fresh +from England when he met Gibbon at Paris. The +<i>Mayor of Garralt</i> had just come out on the London +theatre. Lord Sheffield was full of it. He described +Foote in Major Sturgeon, mimicked him in parts of +the character, and repeated all the jokes against train +bands and Militia, with which the dialogue abounds. +Gibbon, still in the Hampshire, grew half angry, +inveighed against the licentiousness of the stage, and +seriously maintained that such satires on the national +force of a free country should not be endured.</p> + +<p>It would be hardly just to myself and to my sense +of literary merit to close my true though flippant +account of Gibbon’s person, manners, and character, +without bearing the tribute of my admiration, insignificant +as it is, to his immortal work. I have +lately (1835) read it for the third time, with some +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[356]</span>attention; and, in my judgment, his unwearied search +for historical truth, and his yet more rare and discriminating +impartiality in discerning it, place him in +the very first rank of historians. He is one of the +chief ornaments of his age and country. To whatever +strictures his speculative opinions and somewhat indulgent +morality may expose him from the religious +and the austere, none can doubt his humanity, +question his sincerity, or deny the justness of his +views, without betraying their own want [of] candour, +sincerity, or judgment.</p> + +<p>It is curious that, in the same corps with that great +writer and at the same time, another learned, though +less eminent, historian was serving as a subaltern. +This was Mr. Mitford,⁠<a id="FNanchor_378" href="#Footnote_378" class="fnanchor">[378]</a> elder brother of Lord Redesdale, +and author of the <i>History of Greece</i>. He, like +Gibbon, was somewhat fatigued with his regimental +duties, and consulted him how to dispel his <i>ennui</i> by +any rational pursuit. Gibbon advised him to read, +study, and <i>write</i> history; I believe he suggested +Greece as the subject. The first volume, in point of +labour, ingenuity, and critical acumen, does credit to +the advice, and may vie with the works of the +adviser himself. But before the second was published +the French Revolution had intervened. Mitford, +though a retired man, was virulent in his politics. His +detestation of the Republicans and reformers of his +own day, combining with a propensity to paradox +inherent in his nature, induced him to extol the +tyrants whom the orators and historians of Greece +have consigned to the execration of mankind, and to +detract from the acts of heroism and models of oratory +which the world has been taught for ages to regard +as the most signal triumphs of patriotism and genius.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[357]</span></p> + +<p>Among the literary anecdotes related to us at +Lausanne by Gibbon, there were several that proved +the superficial information of modern travellers +generally, and of Coxe, of King’s,⁠<a id="FNanchor_379" href="#Footnote_379" class="fnanchor">[379]</a> afterwards known +by the nickname of “Quarto” Coxe, in particular. He +had been travelling tutor to Lord Pembroke, Mr. +Whitbread, and others. The exorbitance of his +salaries for such services was a common subject of +ridicule in the University of Cambridge. So much +so, that in a puppetshow Punch was introduced +complaining or bragging of the high price he paid +for a fashionable bear-leader. When questioned who +he was, he replied, “Who but Cocksh, of King’s!”—a +piece of buffoonery which the reverend object of it +was so ill-advised as to resent, and he solicited the +Vice-Chancellor to put it down by authority. Whatever +were his gains as tutor, he was not satisfied with +them. He strove to draw from every journey he +made fresh profit, by transferring each item of information +he picked up, from whatever source derived, +into a book of travels. He had as little discrimination +and delicacy in collecting as in retailing his intelligence. +An anecdote which suited his book was +as welcome on the authority of a <i>laquais de place</i>, as +from that of a Minister of State: and on the other +hand he questioned the latter character, if admitted +to his company, with as little scruple as the former.</p> + +<p>Gibbon was full of stories of his impudence and of +proofs of his inaccuracy. His sins, however, he said, +had been visited by a species of retributive justice, +which had injured the sale of his books. No sooner +had his travels in Russia appeared than they had +been abridged and corrected by an abler pen, whose +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[358]</span>production superseded the original publication; and +his book upon Switzerland had been followed by a +French translation, with the notes of a well-informed +Swiss, which was more convenient to the traveller +and more instructive to the student than the English +volumes of Coxe. He lived to an advanced age, and +continued to the last to load our shelves with compositions +or compilations of history and biography; +for, being a thoughtless and hospitable man, as well +as an intrepid writer, he was compelled, notwithstanding +his Archdeaconry and some good Church preferment, +to adhere to his trade of bookmaking. In +default of judgment he had great experience, some +sort of felicity in the choice of his subject, great industry, +or rather importunity, in procuring materials, +though with an utter want of discrimination in +selecting, and yet greater in using or reasoning upon, +such facts as he collected. Of his rapidity in determining +on laborious works without any previous +knowledge of the subjects whatever, and of his +activity in begging and purloining documents for +his new undertaking, many ludicrous stories are +related; of his slender capacity of using them every +reader must be aware, and the posthumous production +which lies on my table, as I write this in 1829, proves +that his judgment did not improve with his years.⁠<a id="FNanchor_380" href="#Footnote_380" class="fnanchor">[380]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>That his selection from papers and correspondence +was as injudicious as his comment, may be inferred +from one fact, that Sir James Mackintosh, who followed +him in his researches through many private correspondences, +seldom found that Coxe and himself marked the +same paper or passage in common for transcription. +Yet his labours were not altogether unuseful. His +assiduity in discovering hidden or unheeded papers, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[359]</span>and his indelicacy in applying for the loan or perusal +of them, dragged some valuable documents into light; +and the easy access he found to them directed subsequent +and better historians to the sources of intelligence +yet extant in private and family collections. +He never lived with literary men of much note, and +his society during his latter years was for the most +part within [the] close of Salisbury, of which cathedral +he was a Prebendary.</p> + +<p>He had seen, however, during his residence, two +Bishops, who in different ways were eminent for their +scholarship. I mean Dr. Douglas⁠<a id="FNanchor_381" href="#Footnote_381" class="fnanchor">[381]</a> + and Dr. Burgess.⁠<a id="FNanchor_382" href="#Footnote_382" class="fnanchor">[382]</a> +The last is a mere bookworm; but though a bad critic, +he is a laborious and learned man. He is more active +in, what they call at college, sporting paradoxes than +ingenious in maintaining them. But though singularly +tenacious of his opinions, he formed them himself. +Narrow as they are, they are his own, and adopted +without any suggestion of others, or, I believe, any +view of power or profit. He is chiefly remarkable, +although little remarked, for publishing a larger number +of dull polemical pamphlets in favour of exploded +opinions in criticism, politics, and religion than any +person of his cloth, and certainly than any or all the +Bishops of the Bench. It is fair to add that, if not +candid, he is temperate in argument and quite exempt +from that irritability which such controversies usually +either denote or create.</p> + +<p>Dr. Douglas, who was not his immediate predecessor, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[360]</span>was a very different and very superior man. +He had been private secretary to Pulteney, Lord +Bath. His detection of Lauder’s forgeries against +Milton is well known. I speak from my own experience +when I mention him as liberal in his dealings, +and from particular as well as general report when I +represent him as amiable, agreeable, and simple, +though somewhat irascible in his disposition. His +learning was considerable, and he combined with it +the taste of a poet and the acumen of a critic. Though +in principle and connection rather a Tory than a +Whig, he obtained the good opinion of Mr. Fox, who +felt for his judgment in literary matters something +nearly approaching to admiration. Indeed, his estimation +in the club where Mr. Fox occasionally met him, +in the company of Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke, Sir Joshua +Reynolds, and Sir William Scott,⁠<a id="FNanchor_383" href="#Footnote_383" class="fnanchor">[383]</a> would raise a fair +presumption that he was no ordinary man, even if +the direct testimony of his writings and of his son +(a person himself of strong understanding) did not +abundantly justify my favourable report.</p> + +<p>Before I became a member of that celebrated club, +he, as well as the yet greater luminaries of it, were +no more.⁠<a id="FNanchor_384" href="#Footnote_384" class="fnanchor">[384]</a> But as I had two uncles Mr. Fox and Lord +Ossory, who generally attended, and as I was well +acquainted in my childhood with Sir Joshua Reynolds, +who never missed a meeting, I was familiar with the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[361]</span>style and character of the society which composed it +from the earliest period of my life. The origin of the +institution may be collected from Boswell; Johnson +was its founder, object, and oracle. Even now, +though dignified by some with a more aspiring title, +the members less ostentatiously and more correctly +term it “Johnson’s Club.” He attended long as the +living idol, and when he was no more it continued to +be the favourite shrine at which his worshippers +offered, in the shape of anecdotes and quotations, their +incense to his memory. In such rites Sir Joshua +Reynolds, Mr. Windham, and Sir William Scott successively +officiated as High Priests, and the conversation +of the two last, in addition to other attractions, +derived no little lustre in that place from the +knowledge of their early study and admiration of him. +Sir Joshua, equally a worshipper, had been long +distinguished in one branch of excellence peculiarly +and exclusively his own. Being, too, one of the +earliest, if not of the original, members of the club, +he seemed to depend less on the respect cherished +for Johnson than on his own merits as an artist +and philosopher.</p> + +<p>He was surely the greatest painter England ever +produced. Even in his blemishes there was thought, +grace, and genius. His pictures, if duly studied, +elucidate the great truth which his conversation +and writings so earnestly and pleasantly inculcated, +namely, that, to attain excellence in the +arts of imitation, intellect and fancy as well as +observation and diligence, are requisite. Though +neither fluent nor grammatically correct in his familiar +language, he had acquired a habit from his intimacy +with Johnson and Burke that reminded one of the +reported conversations of those two extraordinary +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[362]</span>men, and proved that he was one of their school. +This consisted in a perpetual and often successful +endeavour to draw some general inference from casual +facts or remarks mentioned in conversation. He +would account for them by some moral maxim or +make them subservient to the proof of some principle. +He had not only caught this manner of philosophising, +but had studiously imitated it, partly for +his instruction and partly for his diversion.</p> + +<p>I remember he repeated to me and my sister, +in a journey we made with him from Bedfordshire +to London, a composition of his own in a supposed +dialogue between Johnson and Boswell. The affected +simplicity and deference and the real sycophancy of +the disciple, as well as the ponderous humour, contemptuous +tone, and sterling good sense of the +Master, mingled with playful rudeness, were throughout +very happily preserved. The topic was the +intellectual powers of Garrick. Johnson was made, +according to his custom, to disparage them, and yet +more those of his injudicious admirer, Boswell, most +unmercifully. It ended, I think, nearly thus:</p> + +<p><i>B.</i> “Surely, Sir, he is a great man?”</p> + +<p><i>J.</i> “No, Sir. He is <i>not</i> a great man. Garrick, a +great man indeed! Let us have no more of such +stuff.”</p> + +<p><i>B.</i> “You will allow him, at least, to be great in one +line—a great actor?”</p> + +<p><i>J.</i> “Aye, Sir, but what of that? There are many +things great. There are great merchants, great +sportsmen, great brewers, great grocers, great actors, +and great fools; Davy Garrick for aught I know or +care is the last but one, and you, Bozzy (laughing +immoderately), may be the last if you like it.”</p> + +<p>This propensity in Johnson to detract from the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[363]</span>merits of Garrick, to deride and scoff at his profession, +and to expose without mercy the infirmities of his +character, was well known, and has often been +adduced as proofs of his envy, malignity, and ingratitude, +by the friends of that lively man and inimitable +actor. For Johnson, as they urged, was Garrick’s +hero.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Judge, O ye Gods, how dearly Garrick loved him;</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">and thence they drew an inference that Johnson was +a brute to stab him with such merciless severity. +John Kemble, however, who never loved Garrick, +and suspected him, on very slight grounds, of having +been jealous of Mrs. Siddons, pretended that he had +frequently insulted his old master and friend by a +studious and pompous display of his wealth.</p> + +<p>As an instance of this purse-proud insolence and +assumed superiority, he related that when Johnson +complimented Garrick upon his tea, and owned that +he envied his success in nothing more sensibly than +in being able to purchase so exquisite a beverage, +Garrick not only smiled complacently, but added +that the tea so admired was by no means the best +he had; he possessed some far more refined, but he +reserved it for his fashionable guests (naming Sir +John this or Lord that). This affectation of superiority +Johnson resented so highly, that he wrote the two +hundredth Number of the <i>Rambler</i> the very next +day, and he stigmatised therein the folly and insolence +of men suddenly enriched, under the character of +Prospero, with signal severity, introducing the +anecdote of the tea to make the popular player feel +that the portrait was intended for him.</p> + +<p>Sir Joshua’s <i>Dialogue</i> seems to preserve the recollection +without recording the excuse for such +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">[364]</span>a practice in Johnson. It was printed somewhere +about the year 1801 by Lady Thomond.⁠<a id="FNanchor_385" href="#Footnote_385" class="fnanchor">[385]</a> It was +always the fashion to say that the <i>Discourses</i> of +Sir Joshua had been corrected and retouched by +Johnson. That great writer died, and the continued +beauty of the <i>Discourses</i> confuted the supposition. +But the public, ever grudging fame in two lines of +excellence at a time, hardily maintained that Burke +assisted Sir Joshua Reynolds, and, to borrow a +metaphor from art, draped the figures of the artist’s +rhetoric.</p> + +<p>It is, however, my firm belief that he was less +assisted in his writings than in his pictures. In the +mechanical and inferior parts of the latter he certainly +employed very largely Northcote, Marchi, and other +scholars by no means incapable of extending their +labours to the more finished portions of the piece—a +fact I would not invidiously record, if it were not, +I fear, equally true that munificence or even friendliness +to such assistants formed no part of his otherwise +amiable character. My opinion that his writings +are his own is chiefly founded on his conversation. +That uniformly bespoke an ingenious and sprightly +mind, unwearied in exercising itself in the principles +and philosophy of art, and consequently well stored +with the materials of which his <i>Discourses</i> are composed. +It is true that he did not disdain in talk to +give a paradoxical turn to his sound opinions on such +subjects. I remember, when fresh from school, I heard +with astonishment this great judge, proficient in the +“beautiful,” declare that Vanbrugh was, in a painter’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">[365]</span>eye, the best of architects, and that Holland, with +its dykes and canals, was the most picturesque country +in Europe. This way of enforcing just principles by +phrases seemingly paradoxical was, no doubt, devised +to give point and relish to his conversation, and to +invite discussion on his favourite topics. It answered +its purpose. The practice taught him an arch, playful, +and delicate manner of insinuating philosophical tasks.</p> + +<p>When one of his vulgar employers objected to the +price of a portrait, saying, “Seventy guineas is a large +sum, Sir Joshua, for three or four hours’ labour, and +you have not spent five on this picture.” “Not five +hours?” (exclaimed he). “Why, I have been nearly +all my life about it!”⁠<a id="FNanchor_386" href="#Footnote_386" class="fnanchor">[386]</a> Even in parrying just criticism +on his defects, he would contrive to inculcate some +maxim generally applicable to his art. I saw his +great picture of <i>The Death of Cardinal Beaufort</i>⁠<a id="FNanchor_387" href="#Footnote_387" class="fnanchor">[387]</a> on +his easel, and some friends of his availed themselves +of the presence of a schoolboy to convey their +criticism, by setting me on to ask why he had not +shown us King Henry VI.’s face, which is covered +by his arm raised to bless the expiring Prelate. He +perceived the drift of the question, which I who put +it was not aware of, and archly replied, “Aye, now, +I’m glad you asked that question, for I shall teach +something about art. That very omission which +surprises you, the want of the King’s face, is a great +part of my skill. Had it been there, you would have +looked at him instead of the Cardinal, to whom it +was my business to direct your eye. The contrivance +how to hide Henry’s face cost me, I can tell you, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">[366]</span>more trouble and thought than half the picture +besides and than the painting twenty such kings +would have done.” My prompters were probably +not quite satisfied that indolence had no share in +the determination, but they laughed at the promptitude +with which he detected and answered the censure, +and they must have felt the truth of the general +principle involved in his ingenious defence.</p> + +<p>In that picture is a figure on which Mr. Fox loved +to descant whenever he praised Sir Joshua. “None,” +he said, “but a man of genius could have conceived, +and none but one of consummate skill could have +executed, such a design.” It is an inferior attendant +looking through the door, whose countenance, on +observing the agonies of the Cardinal, expresses +forcibly, but almost ludicrously, his persuasion that +all is not as it should be, and that, if the truth were +known, it is a very bad piece of business. What more +natural? What better contrived to tell the story? +If the sentiment is somewhat more comic than one +should expect on so terrible an occasion, the inferior +character, as well as position, of the person expressing +it prevents its impairing in the slightest degree the +horror and sublimity of the remorse in the principal +figure.</p> + +<p>The prosperity and cheerfulness of Sir Joshua +Reynolds have often been remarked. He was familiar +with the great, though no favourite at Court, for the +King⁠<a id="FNanchor_388" href="#Footnote_388" class="fnanchor">[388]</a> was too insensible to genius to admire his +works, and too deficient in knowledge or philosophy +to enjoy his society. But though royal taste patronised +other artists, Sir Joshua was honoured by the multitude +and intimate with the men of his day most +eminent for judgment or acquirements in science, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">[367]</span>literature, politics, law, or divinity. It was not, therefore, +a mere hyperbolical flourish in Mr. Burke, when +eulogising him after the funeral at St. Paul’s, to style +him the pattern of human happiness in temper, profession, +fortune, and fame. It was, on the contrary, +natural in the orator, at such an era of political +dissension, to contrast the career of an artist, soothed +with the breath of flattery and wafted along by rank, +fortune, fashion, and talent to prosperity and fame, +even to the close of the scene, with the less enviable +life of a statesman, too often shattered in its long +and lingering decay by the loss of its branches, and +exposed with declining strength to the assaults of +enmity and detraction.</p> + +<p>But such a panegyric, like a good portrait, had +on that occasion the merit of particular resemblance +as well as of general truth. Reynolds was prosperous +in his life and cheerful in his temper. It is possible +that he might not be, at all seasons, quite exempt from +that jealousy to which artists are so particularly liable. +In mitigation, however, if not in contradiction, to such +insinuations against him, I can myself bear testimony +to his speaking frequently of Gainsborough in terms +of kindness and admiration; of Wilson, whom he is +supposed to have disliked personally, with high +commendation; and even of Romney, whom a set +of minor wits were industrious in extolling at his +expense, with full acknowledgment of his peculiar +merits, and with ample praise of his talents as a +draughtsman. It is somewhat strange that neither +he nor the connoisseurs of that day, though earnest +even to affectation in extolling the genius of Hogarth, +ever spoke of that extraordinary man as a great +colourist.</p> + +<p>It was reserved for the exhibition in Pall Mall about +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">[368]</span>the year 1820⁠<a id="FNanchor_389" href="#Footnote_389" class="fnanchor">[389]</a> to procure him a reputation, which +his arrogant pretensions as a critic and his unsuccessful +attempt at a yet higher order of excellence +in <i>Sigismonda</i>⁠<a id="FNanchor_390" href="#Footnote_390" class="fnanchor">[390]</a> lost him for near fifty years. He +was for a long time, though very preposterously, +considered as a mere caricaturist, the first, indeed, +and father of that line in England, but of the same +race as Bunbury, or even Sayer and Gillray, who +devoted their skill in that diverting but not difficult +branch of art, and furnished our print shops with +political caricatures. Neither they nor Bunbury +aspired to the character of painters.</p> + +<p>The only artist of my time, who could aspire to anything +like a competition with Hogarth, was Goya⁠<a id="FNanchor_391" href="#Footnote_391" class="fnanchor">[391]</a> in +Spain. There is spirit and even genius in his designs, +but they are generally extravagant and sometimes +unintelligible. He lacks that inimitable knowledge of +human nature and character, which made Horace +Walpole class Hogarth with great writers of comedy. +Goya’s portraits on canvas are said to be extremely +good. In 1809 there existed one at Jadrague, of Don +Gaspar Melchior de Jovellanos,⁠<a id="FNanchor_392" href="#Footnote_392" class="fnanchor">[392]</a> who, in addition to his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">[369]</span>other attainments, was a connoisseur in painting, and +has inserted many articles in <i>La Biblioteca de las bellas +artes</i> full of interest to the lovers of art or biography.</p> + +<p>I first made acquaintance with that remarkable man, +in 1793, at Gijon. To that town, his native place, he +had been sent with some commission, to an honourable +exile, soon after the death of Campomanes. That +Minister, himself an Asturian, had not failed to distinguish +the rising genius of Jovellanos. Both were +proficients in political economy, but it was not in +such useful and severe studies alone that Jovellanos +acquired a reputation. Works of criticism, a drama +of great merit (the <i>Delinquente Honrado</i>), and a satire +entitled <i>Pan y Toros</i>, generally ascribed to him, proved +the versatility of his talents, the correctness of his +taste, and the purity of his style. His conversation +was equally delightful—clear, perspicuous, and natural, +and though not divested of playfulness and pleasantry, +elevated and instructive. There was too much benevolence +both of countenance and manner to impose +any unpleasant restraint on the company, and yet +an unaffected simplicity and a certain dignity and +purity, both in language and sentiment, manifestly +the offspring of an unblemished character and a +philosophical mind, gave a tone of earnestness and +propriety to conversation, such as is rarely preserved +in the unrestricted dialogue of a southern society.</p> + +<p>He was, I think, the only person eminent in literature, +with whom I became acquainted in my first journey +through Spain in 1793. I might, indeed, except the +Abbé Cavanilles,⁠<a id="FNanchor_393" href="#Footnote_393" class="fnanchor">[393]</a> a botanist and topographical writer +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_370">[370]</span>of some fame, who was a <i>protégé</i> of the House of +Infantado, a man of prepossessing manners, and a +native of the Kingdom of Valencia, of which he +published a description.</p> + +<p>Lord St. Helens,⁠<a id="FNanchor_394" href="#Footnote_394" class="fnanchor">[394]</a> then Ambassador of Madrid, +though of more refined taste and cultivated mind +than was common at that time in the ranks of +English diplomacy, never had his curiosity awakened +to Spanish literature, nor was at the pains to open +his house to such writers, scholars, or artists, as the +country would have afforded. In Italy, however, +where I spent the two next years, I frequented many +societies where connoisseurs, scholars, and antiquaries +abounded, who</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Sui memores alios fecere merendo;</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">and however unpropitious that season of stormy +politics was to the growth or cultivation of letters, I +found many in different provinces of art, science, +and literature.</p> + +<p>In art, indeed, there were but few natives of Italy, +and, if I except Canova,⁠<a id="FNanchor_395" href="#Footnote_395" class="fnanchor">[395]</a> not one who had either then +or has since that time attained great celebrity. He +was a man of simple, engaging manners, with all that +gentleness which characterises Venetians, and with +enough of the enthusiasm of an artist to give animation +to his countenance and conversation. It would +be tedious to enumerate artists, not Italians, though +subsequent success may have implied merit in many +of them. The list would be long. With the exception, +however, of Fabre⁠<a id="FNanchor_396" href="#Footnote_396" class="fnanchor">[396]</a>⁠—a successful pupil of David, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">[371]</span>but as furious an anti-revolutionary, as his master was +a revolutionary politician, and better known as the +lover, some say the third husband, of Madame +D’Albany,⁠<a id="FNanchor_397" href="#Footnote_397" class="fnanchor">[397]</a> than as a painter—those I was acquainted +with were chiefly English students.</p> + +<p>Flaxman,⁠<a id="FNanchor_398" href="#Footnote_398" class="fnanchor">[398]</a> indeed, visited Italy while I was there. +I am afraid I was more struck with the deformity of +his person, the sanctity of his primitive manners, and +the visionary turn of his opinions, than with his works +or conversation; but the Italians had more sagacity +than his countrymen, and discerned early the grand +originality of his conceptions, his just ideas of beauty, +and the real simplicity of his character. His sketches +and models were studied as works of established +excellence even then at Rome. He was, in truth, as +Lord Egremont comically designated him, a prodigy +of deformity and genius. If unequal, from bodily infirmity, +to complete any great <i>chef d’œuvre</i> in sculpture, +he contrived to enlighten his contemporaries and +followers, and did more by his example and his drawings +to improve art than any Englishman, Sir Joshua, +in the sister branch, always excepted.</p> + +<p>Natural philosophy, however, was the passion of +the day, and geology, chemistry, and electricity the +fashionable topics of conversation. I was myself far +too ignorant to judge of the professors or proficients +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">[372]</span>in such studies: I never saw Spallanzani,⁠<a id="FNanchor_399" href="#Footnote_399" class="fnanchor">[399]</a> nor was +I acquainted with Galvani,⁠<a id="FNanchor_400" href="#Footnote_400" class="fnanchor">[400]</a> whom I have met at +Bologna. But of Fontana,⁠<a id="FNanchor_401" href="#Footnote_401" class="fnanchor">[401]</a> whose contemporary reputation +was greater than the works he has left will +maintain, I can speak from personal intercourse +amounting almost to intimacy.</p> + +<p>He was as remarkable for the boldness of his +opinions as for the energy, eloquence, and ingenuity, +with which he defended them. There had long +existed in Tuscany a school of very free, not to +say irreligious, philosophy. Cocchi was, if not the +founder, a leading disciple in it. He had co-operated +with the Grand Duke Leopold in suppressing both +Jesuits and Inquisition, and in reducing the number, +power, and wealth of the monastic institutions. +Fontana, who, when young, had frequented Baron +Holbach’s society in Paris, was a professed materialist +after the system of Helvetius. He naturally assumed +the ascendancy among the free-thinkers of Florence, +and, no doubt, more covertly favoured the political +principles which Condorcet and other Frenchmen of +the <i>Encyclopédie</i> had adopted. He was positive, +vehement, and dogmatic, but far from unpleasant, +in conversation; more remarkable, I suspect, for +the natural vigour of his understanding than for +the extent or accuracy of his knowledge in science +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">[373]</span>or literature, over the whole range of which he +somewhat presumptuously was wont to assert his +dominion. He was well with the Grand Duke and +his Minister, Manfredini. It was generally whispered +in Florence, always the <i>città maldicente</i> that Dante +describes, that he made an ungenerous use of his +influence, that he checked rather than promoted the +reward of others, and that he did not scruple to +appropriate to himself their labours and discoveries.</p> + +<p>Thus the anatomical man, composed of many +thousand pieces of wood accurately representing parts +of the human body in wood, was said to be the work +of Fabroni,⁠<a id="FNanchor_402" href="#Footnote_402" class="fnanchor">[402]</a> the Sub-Director; although Fontana, the +Director, was in the habit of exhibiting, explaining, +and extolling it as his own. He had patronised +Fabroni when very young, and introduced him into +the institution from the stage, where he was, if not +actually a dancer, connected with the ballet. But +when the proficiency of the disciple attracted notice, +the master was suspected of repressing him, from +jealousy of attainments which were more than equal +to his own; though in natural understanding, as well +as Court favour, Fontana unquestionably maintained +his superiority.</p> + +<p>Fabroni was a Tuscan; Fontana, a native of +Reveredo. Manfredini, who came from the latter +place, also might have some prepossession in favour +of Fontana; but his Tuscan origin could not fail +to give his rising rival corresponding advantages in +a society so narrowly national as that of Florence. +Fontana had a brother, a monk and a professor at +Pavia, where I saw him. He had the appearance as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">[374]</span>well as name of a man of genius; but, suspected of +republican principles, he was compelled to remove the +aspersion by publications in the opposite extreme, and +to consign his character to posterity as the strenuous +and even acrimonious advocate of systems religious, +moral, and political, which he loathed and abhorred. +Hard is the lot of genius under arbitrary governments. +Accordingly, the faculties best suited to the improvement +of mankind are more desirous, on such soils, to +withdraw than to force themselves into notice.</p> + +<p>Parini,⁠<a id="FNanchor_403" href="#Footnote_403" class="fnanchor">[403]</a> the first poet and one of the most amiable +men of that period, I never met. Monti⁠<a id="FNanchor_404" href="#Footnote_404" class="fnanchor">[404]</a> had not yet +acquired such celebrity as was likely to attract a +young traveller. The only literary man, within the +Austrian dominions, whom I visited in 1795, was the +Spanish ex-Jesuit Andrès,⁠<a id="FNanchor_405" href="#Footnote_405" class="fnanchor">[405]</a> more distinguished for +laborious and impartial compilation than for critical +acumen or original thought. He lived unmolested, +but little known, in Mantua, and preferred publishing +his works in Italian, though the subjects of which +they treat and the good taste they inculcate would +have been more useful and more novel to Spanish +readers than to those who were familiar with +Tiraboschi.⁠<a id="FNanchor_406" href="#Footnote_406" class="fnanchor">[406]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>There were, no doubt, many more men of letters +in Venice and its dependencies, but I had not the +advantage of knowing any but Cesarotti.⁠<a id="FNanchor_407" href="#Footnote_407" class="fnanchor">[407]</a> He was +in appearance a grave, heavy, old-fashioned professor, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">[375]</span>and his large tye wig resembled that which, in +ridicule of his translation of Homer, a caricaturist +had placed on the bust of that poet. Cesarotti had, +indeed, the audacity to paraphrase and alter the <i>Iliad</i> +and <i>Odyssey</i>! There was less presumption and more +success in bestowing some Italian graces on the +<i>Ossian</i> of Macpherson. He reconciled many southern +readers, and among them Napoleon Bonaparte himself, +to the equivocal bard of the north.</p> + +<p>It was in 1796 that the English public, saturated +with political disquisition and party invectives, were +recalled to a sense of the sweets of literature and +poetry, and especially to a taste for the Italian writers, +by the publication of a book, whose merit, after all, +is scarcely equal to its success, and whose success is +mainly to be attributed to the fortunate period of +its appearance. This was <i>The Life [of] Lorenzo of +Medici</i>, by Mr. Roscoe,⁠<a id="FNanchor_408" href="#Footnote_408" class="fnanchor">[408]</a> an attorney and afterwards +merchant and banker at Liverpool. After the horrors +and wars, <i>plus quam civilia</i>, which revolutionary +fanaticism in France, and the real or affected dread +of it elsewhere, had diffused pretty generally throughout +Europe, a languor succeeded; a strong desire for +such enjoyments, as the calmer pursuits of poetry +and criticism afford, bespoke a favourable reception +for Mr. Roscoe’s book, which was more easy and +spirited in those parts which related to the revival +of arts and literature, than in such as professed but +failed to explain the changes and institutions of +Florence under the Medici.</p> + +<p>There was something <i>piquant</i> (to use a French +term) in the appearance of a history of Florence +written at Liverpool. Mr. Roscoe was a man of no +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">[376]</span>great scope of genius. Yet when the nature and +extent of his attainments is contrasted with his slender +means of acquiring them, he becomes a sort of +prodigy. He was the lad or waiter at a coffee +house, and even that humble occupation had been +a step from his original condition, for when a boy he +was accustomed to bring potatoes with his father to +market. His assiduity, cleanliness, and honesty recommended +him, and some of the guests articled him +as a clerk to a thriving solicitor. His passion for +letters was inextinguishable and his application +unwearied. It was accidentally directed to Italian; +and a friend (the Rev. Dr. Clarke, I think) being +settled for some years in Tuscany, he collected through +him various materials and dedicated himself to the +composition of a work which immediately placed him +on the line of the most successful authors of the day.</p> + +<p>Lord Orford,⁠<a id="FNanchor_409" href="#Footnote_409" class="fnanchor">[409]</a> who had hailed Robertson and +Gibbon, but not, I think, Hume, on the first appearance +of their works, lived to offer similar incense in particles +of epigrammatic antithesis to the biographer of +Lorenzo de Medici. Mr. Fox, overlooking a style which +he could not approve, through his delight at passages +of Italian poetry not inelegantly rendered in the course +of the work, greeted the publication and the author +with encouragement. To the praise of Mr. Roscoe be +it said, that neither this burst into sudden blaze nor +his subsequent success in public life ever turned his +head or disfigured the simplicity of his manners. He +spoke in Parliament with judgment and effect, but in a +short time, upon elections and other occurrences, there +appeared some unequivocal symptoms of that indecision +which disqualifies a man from public life more +irretrievably than vulgarity or affectation or even than +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_377">[377]</span>ignorance and incapacity. He confined himself afterwards +to his literary pursuits, and to establishing +a taste for arts in his native town not unworthy of his +celebrated Florence; and Liverpool bids fair to give +to its architecture, public works, amusements, and +society, a refinement not usual in communities so +rapidly enriched by commercial enterprise alone.</p> + +<p>In this task Dr. Currie,⁠<a id="FNanchor_410" href="#Footnote_410" class="fnanchor">[410]</a> the physician and the biographer +of Burns, was his most active coadjutor. He +had a stronger understanding, but less correct taste, +than his friend. In his own profession he was distinguished +for a new, bold, and successful application of +cold water in certain stages of fever; and on matters +of politics, science, and philosophy he had acquired +great provincial authority. Some popular letters +on the effect of the war upon trade, printed with the +name of Jaspar Wilson, were with justice attributed +to him, and added not a little to his reputation.</p> + +<p>Roscoe, after shrinking from a contested election +at Liverpool during the No-Popery cry, engaged in +trade and was unfortunate. A body of his literary +friends, led by Dr. Shepherd,⁠<a id="FNanchor_411" href="#Footnote_411" class="fnanchor">[411]</a> handsomely relieved +him from many of the consequences, and alleviated +the chagrin at his failure. Mr. Coke, of Norfolk, with +much delicacy and generosity, employed him in +classing his MSS. at Holkham, of which the curious +library of Justus Lipsius forms a part. Roscoe, +broken by misfortunes and somewhat impaired by +age, did not show all the discernment expected from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_378">[378]</span>him; but he had the merit of being the first guest +at Holkham who drew the attention of his host and +directed his own to those philological treasures. +Many men of learning and taste had been in the +habit of visiting Mr. Coke; but all (according to Mr. +Roger Wilbraham’s malicious remark), including Dr. +Parr, most delicately and politely caught the spirit +of the place, and preferred the pleasures of the field +and of the table to the intellectual labours of classical +research. Roscoe and the literary society in Liverpool +were not singular in their profession of liberal +principles in politics and religion; almost all provincial +<i>literati</i> at the close of the seventeenth century +(Whitaker and some clergymen excepted) were averse +to the war and the system with which it was studiously +interwoven. They were, accordingly, more or less +stigmatised as visionary speculatists or disaffected +Jacobins. The rebound from this contumely and +repression was sensibly felt afterwards. It contributed +with other causes to the successive and alternate +reforms which have ensued.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the insensibility to all intellectual merit +which pervaded the Court of George III., and the +yet more unaccountable indifference to the progress +of literature of a man so capable of relishing and +judging of genius as Mr. Pitt, estranged the whole +republic of letters from their politics. Possibly the +selection of “<i>savans</i>” in France for the direction of +human affairs (no very successful experiment, it must +be acknowledged) engaged the ardent spirits of the +time in the cause of democracy. In aid of such +propensities, a passion, or at least a curiosity, for +German literature suddenly seized the reading part of +the community. Young authors educated in Germany +gratified this appetite for foreign novelties by plays, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_379">[379]</span>novels, and poems, translated from the German +originals. Whatever might be their motives, they +were practically labourers in the same vineyard. The +fruits of their studies had all a tang or smack of +philosophy very opposite to that which it was the +endeavour of our Government, as well [as] of our +Church, to disseminate.</p> + +<p>Among these, my college friend, Mr. M. G. Lewis,⁠<a id="FNanchor_412" href="#Footnote_412" class="fnanchor">[412]</a> +commonly known by the name of his first novel, <i>The +Monk</i>, deserves to be recorded; for, though a Member +of Parliament, he supported the Minister and the +French war. He inculcated in his writings opinions +which led to a directly opposite conclusion. He had +a clear and even a strong understanding, imagination +amounting almost to genius, and indefatigable industry. +As a poet he was endowed with an excellent +ear and a command of elegant language. But his +mind was vitiated with a mystical, though irreligious, +philosophy; his taste in reading, writing, and thinking, +corrupted by paradox; and his conversation disfigured +by captious perverseness in controversy or sickly +affectation in sentiment. His efforts at pleasantry, +which were continual, were very unsuccessful. He +had no talent for humour. He was sincere, affectionate, +and generous; but his vanity was inordinate +and more troublesome than diverting.</p> + +<p>As he advanced in life he grew exceedingly tedious, +especially upon all that related to himself; so that +contrary to the usual course of things, the peculiarities +and egotism which had been in some degree pardoned +to his genius and youth, <i>when poor</i> became quite intolerable, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_380">[380]</span>and were, in fact, not tolerated in society when he +succeeded to a large property in Jamaica. He went +thither, and was nearly as prolix in his exhortations +to his negroes as in his reports of their condition and +treatment. It is but just to add he very earnestly +endeavoured to the best of his judgment to improve +the latter. He died on board ship in his return from +his second visit to Jamaica. His obstinacy and +paradox may be said to have brought him to that +untimely end; for he persisted, against the prohibition +of the only medical man in the vessel, to take emetics +for sea sickness, and, weakened as he had been by a +previous fever on shore, actually died of inanition and +exhaustion.</p> + +<p>The poetry, plays, and essays of a herd of male and +female followers, of whom Dr. Darwin⁠<a id="FNanchor_413" href="#Footnote_413" class="fnanchor">[413]</a> was the chief, +though in character and taste very different from +Lewis’, had a similar tendency to reconcile men’s +minds to approaching changes and to shake the received +manner of thinking on religion and politics. +Darwin himself, though a versifier rather than a poet, +was a remarkable man. His medical practice, singular +and startling, was not unsuccessful. His fame in +Derbyshire and the adjacent counties was extensive, +and not confined to the ignorant or the credulous. +With an unwieldy person, uncouth manner, and large +tongue, his appearance and conversation captivated +strangers, and his more solid qualities attached a +numerous body of friends. He was surrounded by +admiring disciples. They imbibed, together with a +taste for minute and curious observation in physical +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_381">[381]</span>philosophy, great intrepidity in the search of truth, +and not less zeal in diffusing it.</p> + +<p>In London there had started up, soon after the +French Revolution, a yet more fearless sect, who, +mingling the dogmas of materialism with certain +visionary notions of the perfectibility of the human +species, assailed without disguise all the received +opinions upon which the duties of individuals or the +institutions of the State had been hitherto founded +or defended. These doctrines were not confined to +metaphysical works; they were purposely and studiously +insinuated in novels, plays, and productions +of imagination.</p> + +<p>Mr. Godwin⁠<a id="FNanchor_414" href="#Footnote_414" class="fnanchor">[414]</a> was in some sense the father of +that school. If known at all to posterity, it will in +all probability be as the writer of <i>Caleb Williams</i>, +not as the author of <i>Political Justice</i>, which is already +nearly forgotten. He was himself a strange compound +of simplicity and of design, of talent and +of folly. He plotted against the whole frame of +society, but was the easy dupe of his own affections +or the professions of his pupils. After a short season +of equivocal celebrity, he sank into a hacking writer +and concealed partner of the booksellers. The good +little books in which our masters and misses were +taught the rudiments of profane and sacred history, +under the name of Baldwin, were really the composition +of Godwin, branded as an atheist by those who +unwittingly purchased, recommended, and taught his +elementary lessons. Lord Grey (I write in 1834) has +recently, by an act of good-nature, relieved this man +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_382">[382]</span>of genius from penury and drudgery, and bestowed on +him some small place under Government.</p> + +<p>The strange and disgusting story of his marriage with +Mrs. Wollstonecraft, together with the adventures and +death of that wild but extraordinary woman, is in print +and accessible to all the world. Soon after her death +Godwin consulted Curran⁠<a id="FNanchor_415" href="#Footnote_415" class="fnanchor">[415]</a> about marrying again, and +Curran warned him against making youth and beauty +the chief object, and earnestly exhorted him to select +a “<i>woman with something</i>.” Curran, on his return +from Ireland some years afterwards, visited his friend, +and found that he had married a widow. “Well, and +has she anything?” was his first question. “Aye, +indeed has she!” replied Godwin. “She has eight +children!”</p> + +<p>Holcroft,⁠<a id="FNanchor_416" href="#Footnote_416" class="fnanchor">[416]</a> one of his least successful disciples, though +cursed with the vice of mediocrity which, even in +his plays, novels, or travels, a love of paradox could +not animate, has left one book which is a great exception +to such a censure, and of a nature to render all +further notice of him unnecessary. This is his own +life—the most curious picture of self-education in an +authentic shape which our language possesses. It +affords abundant proof of the enjoyment which an +access of knowledge can afford to the humblest orders +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_383">[383]</span>of society, and is a practical exposure of the error +as well as selfishness of that philosophy which would +confine it to the opulent. This Holcroft was one of +the reformers singled out for prosecution and punishment +by the proceedings of 1794. He married, I +believe, the widow of Mercier, author of the <i>Tableau +de Paris</i>, and their daughter married Mr. Kenney,⁠<a id="FNanchor_417" href="#Footnote_417" class="fnanchor">[417]</a> an +author of some interesting melodramas and lively +farces.</p> + +<p>There was at the period of which I am now speaking +another knot of yet younger enthusiasts. They +were soon afterwards generally designated by the name +of “the Lake Poets,” because several of them settled +in the romantic districts of Cumberland and Westmoreland. +They were, at their outset, scarcely less +extravagant in their principles, and much more so in +their projects, than the materialists of Godwin’s school, +though they had the good-fortune to escape all legal +persecution. Southey, the destined champion of +the Church and Poet Laureate of three successive +Sovereigns; Wordsworth, in time the <i>protégé</i> and supporter +of Toryism in the North and the pattern, in +the judgment of many, of purity both in language +and thought; Coleridge, the hireling of every illiberal +publication in its turn—were one and all, together +with a host of young comrades and admirers, smitten +with visionary notions of impracticable liberty, busy +in translating or imitating the mystic philosophy and +poetry of the Germans, and actually preparing to +colonise on the Back Settlements of America for the +purpose of establishing an entire exemption from +all religious restraints or ceremonies, an equal division +of property, and a community of wives. The press, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_384">[384]</span>in the meanwhile, teemed with their productions, all +inculcating the wildest maxims of German metaphysics, +and all combating the principles upon which the +institutions of property, as well as the distribution of +political power, are founded in society. They escaped, +as I have observed, the Crown Lawyer’s prosecutions, +but they fell under the more appropriate lash of the +ridicule of <i>The Anti-Jacobin</i>.⁠<a id="FNanchor_418" href="#Footnote_418" class="fnanchor">[418]</a> The Sapphics of Southey +were parodied in a poem entitled <i>The Needy Knife-grinder</i>, +and Mr. Frere and his coadjutors in their +happiest vein exposed the sickly sentimentality and +real immorality of the whole school, in a supposed +German play, which combined nearly all their +absurdities.</p> + +<p>Mr. Southey⁠<a id="FNanchor_419" href="#Footnote_419" class="fnanchor">[419]</a> was the nephew of Mr. Hill, long +chaplain to the factory at Lisbon, and afterwards +rector of Streatham. In one of his visits to England +he found his nephew, scarce twenty years of age, on +the eve of marrying a girl without a halfpenny. To +rescue him from such imprudence his uncle offered +to take him through Spain to Portugal for a year, +in the hopes that absence might cool his passion. +Southey accepted the proposal; but, to defeat the real +object of it, he secretly married the very day before +he set off on his travels. The tour was not only +gratis, but lucrative to him, for the sale of his lively +and flippant account of it replenished his purse, and +he embarked on a career of authorship and politics +which, though desultory and tortuous, has always +been directed to some profitable haven or another. +His habits were those of an author by trade. Stated +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_385">[385]</span>hours set apart for his various studies. Poetry and +prose, divinity and wit, had each their distinct periods +of each day allotted to them. His handwriting was +wonderfully neat, minute, and legible, and he told +me that he saved no inconsiderable sum each year +by this accomplishment, so numerous were his +writings.</p> + +<p>His vanity was inoffensive and diverting, and his +enthusiasm, real or affected, about his literary pursuits +pleasant and amiable. His confidence in his own +powers was, indeed, preposterous, and his appetite for +flattery, of which his family and friends served him +with a constant and plentiful supply, was inordinate; +yet, in spite of research and ardour, a sprightly +imagination, and great raciness and accuracy in his +English, he was not only a credulous and almost silly +historian, but a weak reasoner and tiresome poet, and +neither in prose nor in verse captivated or warmed +his reader, though he might occasionally divert and +surprise him. His egotism was excessive. He would +fain have been arrogant; but his scorn and indignation, +in spite of himself, assumed the character of +flippancy and impertinence rather than of insolence or +pride.</p> + +<p>He was a schoolfellow and friend of Mr. Charles +W. Wynne, and that gentleman procured him some +small favour or pension in 1806. The touch of +Treasury gold seems to have entirely altered the +character of the man. From that time forth all +his predilections have been for power, and, in its +most odious form, exclusion and monopoly; and, +what was yet more strange, most of his associates +have accompanied him in this sudden and violent +apostasy from his early principles. Possibly some +little resentment, mingled with self-interest, deepened +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_386">[386]</span>the tinge which he and the other Lake poets received +soon after Mr. Perceval’s accession to power. <i>The +Edinburgh Review</i> had censured the peculiarities of +Southey’s and Wordsworth’s school. The sentence +of that popular but stern tribunal of literature was +sensibly felt in the sale of the works. Southey openly +lamented that a man like Jeffrey,⁠<a id="FNanchor_420" href="#Footnote_420" class="fnanchor">[420]</a> who, in his self-complacency, +he said, “in physical stature did not +reach his shoulder, nor in intellectual dimensions his +ankle,” should yet have it in his power to kick +away the harvest due to his industry and genius. +<i>The Edinburgh Review</i> had, during the first years +of its publication, acted up to the stern maxim +adopted for its motto,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Cum nocens absolvitur judex damnatur.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>But surely it may be doubted whether the mortification +and exposure of sundry pretenders to literary +merit does as much service to the republic of letters +as the lavish use of ridicule and invective does +mischief, by deterring many modest but ingenious +men from encountering their strictures.⁠<a id="FNanchor_421" href="#Footnote_421" class="fnanchor">[421]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>That formidable journal first appeared in 1802. The +notion of it was suggested, in a small lodging or flat up +four pair of stairs, by Sydney Smith to Mr. Jeffrey, +Lord Webb Seymour, Mr. Horner, Mr. T. Thomson, +and, I think, Mr. John Murray. Sydney proposed, with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_387">[387]</span>allusion to the diet of the country, to assume for their +motto,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Musam meditamur avena,⁠<a id="FNanchor_422" href="#Footnote_422" class="fnanchor">[422]</a>⁠</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">“We study the Muses on oatmeal”: a suggestion +which he says his Northern coadjutors vociferously +rejected, though no bad specimen of the playful humour +with which he enlivened some one article of every +number for several years. Brougham was not one of +the original projectors; Sydney Smith objected to his +admission. His contributions, he said, would be too +long, too many, and too political. Those of Sydney +himself, often devoted to the exposure and ridicule +of bad sermons and theological works, were ignorantly +cited by parsons in England as singular proofs of +the acrimony which still distinguished the Kirk of +Scotland, and led them to satirise the writers of an +Episcopal Church. Brougham, when admitted, verified +one portion of Sydney’s prediction. He overwhelmed +the review with politics; but few of his fellow-labourers +were by that time disposed to lament such an innovation, +and the increasing sale produced by the introduction +of such topics might have reconciled them to +the change, had they retained more scruples about it.</p> + +<p>An article upon Cobbett and the public journals, +undertaken some eight or ten years after the commencement +of the <i>Review</i>, and against the better +judgment of Mr. Horner, by Mr. Jeffrey, at the +suggestion of Brougham, stamped its character as a +political publication irrevocably. Till then several +persons quite unconnected with politics, and some +absolutely adverse to the Whigs, had occasionally contributed +papers—Wilberforce, Walter Scott, Richard +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_388">[388]</span>Payne Knight,⁠<a id="FNanchor_423" href="#Footnote_423" class="fnanchor">[423]</a> + Mr. Bartholomew Frere,⁠<a id="FNanchor_424" href="#Footnote_424" class="fnanchor">[424]</a> and many +others. The number of the contributors, the facility +with which contributions were admitted, and the +secrecy often enjoined and generally observed, led +to many false conjectures, and those conjectures to +consequences, literary and political, that had influence +on the opinions and conduct of individuals.</p> + +<p>Cobbett exhibited a proof that demagogues, like +Princes, when they act on bare suspicion, lose their +sagacity. He was nettled at the unexpected exposure +of his shameless tergiversation on the article above +alluded to; he accordingly directed all his resentment +against Mr. Horner, who was the only reviewer that +had earnestly protested against it.⁠<a id="FNanchor_425" href="#Footnote_425" class="fnanchor">[425]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Lord Strangford imagined that a severe stricture on +his poetry,⁠<a id="FNanchor_426" href="#Footnote_426" class="fnanchor">[426]</a> written, in truth, by a fellow diplomat +of anti-Jacobin and Tory propensities, was composed +or instigated by me; and though assiduous enough +in his correspondence with me while the Grenville +Administration lasted, he scarcely concealed his resentment +to me—and to all Whigs, soon afterwards. A +more important personage, Lord Byron himself, was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_389">[389]</span>swayed in his conduct for some time from a misconception +that the flippant review of his first poems, written, +in truth, by Mr. Brougham, was the composition of +George Lamb⁠<a id="FNanchor_427" href="#Footnote_427" class="fnanchor">[427]</a> at my instigation, whereas I never +saw the poems, nor did I know of the existence of +the author (for I thought the title extinct) till I read +the review and expressed to some of the reviewers +my surprise and regret at the unmerited and bitter +severity of the article.⁠<a id="FNanchor_428" href="#Footnote_428" class="fnanchor">[428]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Lord Strangford had not been less severely handled, +but he had deserved it by the personal conceit of his +egotism and the great infidelity of his translations. +Invention, however, is more pardonable in a poem, +and even a translation, than in an official letter. His +verses from the Portuguese are creditable to his taste +and ear, though they represent Camoëns as unfaithfully +as his dispatches the events on the Tagus or +the communications of the Sublime Porte. He has +not, perhaps, met with the success he had reason to +expect as an author or an orator. His facility in +composing verse and prose is considerable, and his +inferiority as a speaker, though undeniable, proceeds +from no deficiency in utterance, language, or logic.</p> + +<p>In London his acquaintance has never been much +courted, either in literary or fashionable society, nor +his conversation, though not wanting in knowledge, +vivacity, or good breeding, much relished. His father +had been expelled, by a very unusual Act of Parliament, +from the Irish House of Lords, for a corrupt vote +in a judicial proceeding. At his entrance in life, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_390">[390]</span>moreover, the disadvantage of that recollection was +aggravated by extreme poverty, and there was nothing +to counterbalance it but distant relationship with the +Percies and Lord Egremont. To the latter, I believe, +he was chiefly indebted for his first employment +under Government, and to both, for the education +which rendered him capable of discharging it. Success +in his diplomatic career entitles him to a niche in the +political rather than literary monuments of the day; +but as he will not appear in any of my raising in +that department to much advantage, it is fair to observe +here that he dedicated the gains of the profession +he embraced, in the first instance, to his mother and +sisters, and showed in that particular a kindness of +heart and a liberality of conduct which I much fear +will not easily be inferred from other passages of +his life.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_391">[391]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_392">[392]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX">APPENDIX</h2> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_393">[393]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_A">APPENDIX A</h2> + +<p class="center smaller">(<a href="#Page_10">See p. 10</a>)</p> + +</div> + +<p>Lord Strangford,⁠<a id="FNanchor_429" href="#Footnote_429" class="fnanchor">[429]</a> in some <i>Observations</i> on a note +in Colonel Napier’s book, has this year (1828) given +a very different version of the whole story. From a +dispassionate consideration of the documents he produces +in his defence, and the account he gives of the +whole transaction, I am inclined to believe that some +<i>unimportant</i> particulars in my relation of them are +incorrect. It is clear that his dispatch was <i>not</i> written +in Reddish’s Hotel, but in Bruton Street. It is possible, +and indeed probable, that it was written at Mr. +Canning’s request, and that Mr. Canning urged as a +reason, <i>though in all likelihood</i> not as the only reason, +for writing it, that “he preferred the form of one +unbroken dispatch, and that the publication of the +whole of Lord Strangford’s letters as they stood was +impossible”;⁠<a id="FNanchor_430" href="#Footnote_430" class="fnanchor">[430]</a> and it is true that the dispatch so +written does not <i>directly</i> assert, as I had imagined +that it did, that Lord Strangford had an audience of +the Prince Regent immediately before his embarkation, +and had persuaded him to embark. Lord +Strangford, in his publication of this year, directly +and repeatedly acknowledges that the embarkation +of the Prince Regent was not the result <i>of his brief +visit to Lisbon on the night of November 28, when the +Royal Family were already embarked</i>.⁠<a id="FNanchor_431" href="#Footnote_431" class="fnanchor">[431]</a>⁠</p> + +<p>Thus far the real state of the facts may be more +favourable to Lord Strangford than my representation +of them in the text and the account I collected of +them from the testimony of those whom I have quoted +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_394">[394]</span>in the preceding note; but the main point of the +charge against Lord Strangford’s veracity and the +authenticity of the dispatch remains unrefuted. The +dispatch was written in London and on December 19, +not, as the date indicates, on board the <i>Hibernia</i> off +the Tagus, November 29; and that false date, as well +as the promise “to detail further particulars in a future +dispatch,” and the apology for haste at the end, prove +the intention of the writer to deceive the public reader +as to the time and place of the composition. The +reasons for writing such a dispatch and the allegation +of those reasons by Mr. Canning may be correctly +noted by Lord Strangford in his <i>Observations</i>, but +they do not disprove the facts which I have stated +in my text and which I believe, namely, that Lord +Strangford had arrived in London and written the +dispatch afterwards printed in the <i>Gazette</i>, before +the official intelligence contained in a dispatch really +written on board the <i>Hibernia</i> by him had come to +hand; secondly, that the original dispatch varied in +many points with that written and printed in London; +and thirdly, that Mr. Canning was thunderstruck at +discovering such variations. It is, I think, undeniable +that the printed dispatch, without positively propounding +as a fact that Lord Strangford had prevailed +on the Prince Regent to embark, is calculated +and apparently intended to convey that impression +to the reader, and it somewhat broadly implies that +it was “in interesting communications with the Court +of Lisbon” after November 27, that he prevailed on +His Royal Highness to embark, or at least confirmed +him in his previous intentions to that effect. In the +dispatch Lord Strangford says that “on proceeding +to Lisbon on the 27th, he had immediately most +interesting communications with the Court of Lisbon,” +for the particulars of which he refers to some future +dispatch: but adds, “It suffices to mention in this +place that the Prince Regent wisely directed all his +apprehensions to a French army, and all his hopes +to an English fleet; that he received the most explicit +assurances from me, etc., etc.; and that I promised, +etc., etc.” Nobody would doubt in reading the above +passage that the interesting communications were +immediately after Lord Strangford had proceeded +to Lisbon on the 27th, that the particulars referred +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_395">[395]</span>to a future dispatch had occurred either on or after +the 27th, and that the expression of the Prince +Regent’s hopes and fears, as well as the explicit assurances +of Lord Strangford and his promises to the +Prince Regent, were all made in an audience with +the Prince Regent, or at least with his Ministers, after +Lord Strangford had proceeded to Lisbon, and before +the Prince Regent had embarked. The fact is now +acknowledged by Lord Strangford himself that the +Royal Family were already embarked during his brief +visit to Lisbon, and that he saw M. D’Aranjo and the +Prince Regent for the first time after his proceeding +thither on board ship.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_396">[396]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_B">APPENDIX B<br> +<span class="smcap">The Prince Regent’s Views on the Roman +Catholic Question</span></h2> + +<p class="center smaller">(<a href="#Page_113">See p. 113</a>)</p> + +</div> + +<p class="center">(<i>Account of a conversation between Lord Wellesley and Lord Holland +on January 14, 1828.</i>)</p> + +<p>I had a conversation with Lord Wellesley. In the +course of it, after discussing many topics with his +usual vivacity and ability, he was led to speak of the +King’s (George IV.) opinions on the Catholic question. +He expressed not only regret but surprise at his +recently avowed hostility to any further concessions +to the Roman Catholics. He maintained that such +language and opinion were in direct contradiction to +declarations formerly made, and at variance with the +principles he had repeatedly and <i>solemnly</i> professed +to him. In support of this assertion he alleged the +following facts.</p> + +<p>When he was Secretary of State in 1811 or 1812, +and Lord Fitzwilliam had given notice of a motion on +the state of Ireland, he concurred with his colleagues +on the propriety of resisting the motion, but thought +it incumbent on him in doing so to disclaim all +opposition to the measure generally called “Catholic +Emancipation,” and even to avow that he was favourably +disposed to a removal of the remaining disabilities. +Conceiving, however, that it would not become him +to express an opinion so much at variance with those +professed by his colleagues, without apprising the +Prince Regent of his intentions, he waited on His +Royal Highness, and stated at length his view of the +obligation imposed upon him of avowing his own +sentiments on that important question. He even +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_397">[397]</span>explained at some length the reasons on which they +were grounded, and the view he had taken of the +whole subject. The Prince Regent distinctly, and even +earnestly, approved of his intention; first, as he said, +because it was right for him to deliver his sentiments +on such a subject, and secondly, because he, the +Prince Regent, <i>concurred in the opinion he intended to +express</i>.</p> + +<p>I interrupted Lord Wellesley, to ask him if he +was confident that he had not confounded an approbation +of the manliness of expressing his opinion with +an approbation of the opinion intended to be so +expressed. “Certainly not,” was his Lordship’s reply; +“the expression was distinct—‘<i>he concurred in my +opinion</i>.’ And he did not stop there; he called in +Lord Liverpool and Mr. Perceval, and repeated to +them the substance of my communication and his +approbation, saying that I did right to state my +opinion without reserve, for he thought I was called +upon to do so, and that, moreover, in that opinion he +entirely concurred.”</p> + +<p>Lord Wellesley then proceeded to relate a much +stranger circumstance. When, after Lord Wellesley’s +retirement from office, Lord Donoughmore moved to +refer the Catholic petitions to a Committee, Lord +Wellesley had again a communication from the Prince +Regent. I forget if it was in writing or by a message, +but it was not merely an approbation of his avowing +his opinions, and of the opinions he intended to avow, +but a request, in the shape of a command, to express +these opinions, and to state to the House and the +country at large that he was expressing those of the +Prince Regent as well as his own, and <i>that he had His +Royal commands to inform the House that he, the Regent, +concurred in all he said on the subject</i>. “These commands,” +added Lord Wellesley, “I took upon me, as I +have frequently observed to His Majesty since, <i>most +implicitly to disobey</i>”: and he then appealed to me on +the propriety of his own conduct in doing so, on the +obvious objections in a constitutional point of view +there would have been in such a declaration, and on +the injurious effects it must have had (considering all +that has since occurred) on the temper of the people +of Ireland and His Majesty’s personal character and +honour.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_398">[398]</span></p> + +<p>He had, he said, subsequent to that period remarked +some ill-humour to the Catholics and their +supporters, some wavering and tergiversation, and +some inconsistency in the language of his Royal +Master on such topics, but never any decided avowal +of hostility to the measure on principle; and he must, +he added, moreover, remark that His Majesty’s manner, +language, and conduct when in Ireland was, even by +the admission of Lord Sidmouth and others opposed +to the Catholic claims, most injudicious and injurious +to his honour and his Government, if he was really +determined to resist on principle and in all circumstances +any further concession to his Roman Catholic +subjects. He assured me that the Irish Roman +Catholics would not yet believe he had deserted them, +that the postponement of the measure was generally +attributed by them to some faction or intrigue in +Court or in Parliament, and not to any hostility in the +King’s mind; that he was, in truth, still popular with +that class of his subjects, from a persuasion that he +was secretly friendly to their admission, and that, on +the other hand, he was far from enjoying the confidence +of their enemies, and was, in truth, an object of +suspicion, if not of enmity, with all the high Orange +party and self-constituted Protestant ascendancy in +Ireland.</p> + +<p>This distinct evidence of the Prince Regent’s avowed +support of the Catholic claims, I have thought it right +to record, upon the almost irrefragable authority from +which I received it. My testimony would certainly +lead to a directly opposite conclusion, <i>viz.</i>, that he was +often willing to leave an impression on those with +whom he conversed that he was friendly to the admission +of Roman Catholics to Parliament, but that he +was studiously cautious of saying in distinct terms +that he deemed that measure either practicable or +expedient. The Duke of Orleans (Louis Philippe) told +me that in the year 1814 or 1815, I forget which, he +distinctly avowed his hostility to all concession whatever; +and explained the nature of his repugnance to it +and of his scruples, by saying that if Catholics could +be lawfully admitted to political power they could not +be lawfully excluded from the Crown, and the title +of his family would in that case cease to be legitimate. +This remark, however, was made at a period and in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_399">[399]</span>a conversation where it was evidently the object of the +English Prince to impress on the Duke of Orleans the +duty of implicit obedience to what he considered the +“legitimate” heir to the Bourbon throne, and to imply +that it was religious, not political, considerations which +had justified the English in departing from the regular +line of succession.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_400">[400]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_C">APPENDIX C<br> +<span class="smcap">Lord Holland to Lord Grey</span></h2> + +<p class="center smaller">(<a href="#Page_293">See p. 293</a>)</p> + +</div> + +<p class="center">(<i>Containing his report of a conversation with Sir +John Leach.</i>)</p> + +<p class="right"><i>12th June, 1820.</i></p> + +<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Dear Grey</span>,</p> + +<p>I am hoarse, lame, gouty, nervous, and annoyed, +but must write you a letter—not about my motion. I +daresay that, at your distance, you disapprove it; but +I am right, and were you here you would think so. +However, I leave that to be explained by my speech, +if I can deliver it, by time, and by conversation, if I +am ever to get any of that commodity with you again. +But there is a business more embarrassing. I shall +not mention names by letter; you will probably +guess, and perhaps your judgment on things will not +be less impartial and good if you do not.</p> + +<p>Since Saturday’s post I have had two conversations +not of my seeking. I was told Ministers expected, +possibly meant, to be beaten to-night in the House +of Commons on the question of adjournment, and +then meant to resign to-morrow, leaving the King at +issue with his Commons and without a Government. +An answer was to be made last night by Liverpool to +a remonstrance sent to him by the King against +Canning’s speech, which would, no doubt, maintain +Canning stoutly (it did so), and thereby furnish an +opportunity for dismissing the whole Ministry before +their defeat in the Commons. My informant stated +<i>himself</i> to be at a loss what to advise, because it +depended on the practicability of forming a new +Ministry. He therefore consulted me, <i>as his friend</i>, +what he ought to do for his own honour and character +and for the King’s service; his notion, he added, had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_401">[401]</span>been to advise the King to dismiss the present men +directly (that was last night), to fetter any new +Government he should appoint with <i>no</i> conditions +whatever, and to send for me, Lansdowne and +<i>Grenville!</i> to-day. In the course of our conversation +when your name occurred, he always dwelt on the +great pressure of time, and said with concern that +you were in Northumberland.</p> + +<p>The substance of what I said was that while an +ostensible Ministry was in existence it was impossible +for me, with any regard to my own character, feelings, +or principles, to convey through him or any one else +any opinion on the propriety or the impropriety of +dismissing that Ministry; on the way in which such +dismissal could be accomplished; or, indeed, on the +practicability of forming any other Government. I +was, therefore, compelled to decline saying one word +on those topics or giving him any advice how to act.</p> + +<p>I told him, however, as my private friend, what was, +and long had been, my situation in political connection. +From my long experience of your public conduct, +confidence in your abilities, and private affection +and friendship for you, I had transferred to you that +political attachment I had felt for my uncle when alive. +There might be, from there being less disparity in +years and possibly in understanding between us, +some slight difference in the degree, but none in the +nature, of that political attachment. That, unless so +improbable an event as a difference between us on +some great question affecting the general policy of the +country should ever occur, I not only could never be +of any service to the King in office <i>without</i> you, but +could only be of service to him by being brought +there <i>by and under</i> you. The King, I supposed, must +infer this from his knowledge of my general party +principles. I was sure I could not be five minutes +in his closet on matters connected with the formation +of a Ministry, without his knowing it distinctly. Without +reference, therefore, to present circumstances, I +showed that sending for me would be quite idle, unless +the intention were not only to admit you as a Minister, +but to consult and to entrust you in the task of forming +one; and if that were the intention, the direct method, +always the best, was perhaps more emphatically so, +because something like personal estrangement had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_402">[402]</span>either subsisted or been rumoured to subsist between +you and the King. As a general, though not invariable, +rule, and always without reference to the immediate +subject of our interview, I hinted that a King of +England did best to place his confidence in some one +man or, at least, some one party, and to leave to that +person’s or that party’s discretion all union and coalition +with others. I did not like to object to a man +I so sincerely respect as Grenville, but I contrived +in the course of conversation carelessly to observe +that all political connection with him had dropped.</p> + +<p>I then bantered my friend on the little comparative +importance he attached to [the] House of Commons, +and to various great measures on which men entrusted +with power must make up their minds. He called the +House of Commons <i>wild</i>, and seemed surprised when +I told him that if he thought them <i>wild</i> he would think +the public, if he knew their feelings on the same subject, +quite <i>frantic</i>. He seemed to apprehend that, in +spite of the public clamour and Parliamentary unwillingness +to do much, the King would not be satisfied +with a separation or even a divorce, unless the Queen +were deprived of her title and dignity as well as of +her relation to him. I could not help saying, “That +in that case he was a damned unreasonable fellow.” +My friend seemed to imagine there could be no +important measure but the Catholic question, from +which remark I collected that that point might be +conceded. I told him I differed with him extremely +there. There were in my mind many measures—popular +measures—of more importance to the stability +and character of a Ministry and to the country than +any squabble between man and wife could be: that +as far as I had weight with parties in power I should +recommend them to be very inflexible about such +measures, and much more so than about men. I +purposely avoided marking too distinctly what they +were, but observed that [the] more a Government +was harassed with such odious and painful subjects +as the domestic quarrels of [the] Royal Family, the more +prudent and the more incumbent upon them it would +be to insist on everything that could benefit or, +consistently with safety, gratify the country. I am +afraid this part of my conversation did not please, and +I was sorry to perceive it did not.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_403">[403]</span></p> + +<p>I need not tell you how I felt and do feel your +absence. My line is, indeed, clear, whether you are +absent or not; but indeed, my dear Grey, it is hardly +fair to expect that that of other persons can be so. +They cannot take upon themselves to act <i>for</i> you.</p> + +<p>It is quite impossible for them to consult you on +the emergencies that may arise at such a distance—an +endeavour to do so is tantamount to not acting at all.</p> + +<p class="center">Yours,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Vassall Holland</span>.</p> + +<p>I hardly know what I have written: I am so +harassed with cold and business.</p> + +<p>Since I wrote, Lansdowne and Tierney have been +here: both have had similar communications through +different channels, and Lord Buckingham, I am told, +has taken one of the same kind down to Dropmore. +The only difference is that Lansdowne’s and Tierney’s +informants (both political friends of ours) said they +were authorised by [the] King to communicate and +consult: my friend only asked me my advice for the +regulation of his own conduct. Tierney said nothing +could be done in [the] House of Commons, <i>and</i> the +King’s cause there was lost; and he suggested, not to +dismiss the Ministry, but to leave them to entangle themselves +and disgrace themselves more. Lansdowne is +most properly afraid of putting ourselves at all at the +mercy of the Court in case of a change, but seems +to think that union with some of the present men, +Liverpool especially, would secure you more effectually +against that evil than I think it would; but I cannot +enter into all the various views and speculations +and shades of opinion. Lansdowne constantly and +naturally urges your coming up.</p> + +<p class="center">Yours,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Vassall Holland</span>.</p> + +<p>I should add, in case Tierney forgets it, that his +informant said distinctly the King had no personal +objection to your being, not only a Minister, but first +Minister, and his informant, I am sure, would wish to +see you so.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_404">[404]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_D">APPENDIX D<br> +<span class="smcap">Junius Letters</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>On Tuesday, May 29, 1834, I dined at Norfolk +House; and the conversation turned, after dinner, +as it does too often everywhere, on the question who +was the author of <i>Junius</i>. However, on this occasion +I heard something new and worth remembering.</p> + +<p>Lord Albemarle, a man of a good memory and strict +veracity, said he had once been present at a conversation +(after much wine had been drunk) between Mr. +Dudley North and Sir Philip Francis. The former +rallied the latter somewhat rudely as the author of +<i>Junius</i>, said it was vain to deny it, and that everybody +so considered him, and took him to task for various +opinions and expressions in the work. Francis grew +angry, and with more solemnity than was usual +exclaimed, “Do you then mean, sir, seriously to tell +me that I am a scoundrel or a liar? I have denied +distinctly my being the author, and after that they +who believe I am must believe me to be a liar or a +scoundrel or both.”</p> + +<p>Dudley North then changed his battery; and, disclaiming +all serious suspicion of the fact, implied he +was unequal to the task, with much more to vex him +and put him off his guard. At last he said: “In short, +it is idle to talk so much about it: we all, in truth, +know how it is—Lloyd⁠<a id="FNanchor_432" href="#Footnote_432" class="fnanchor">[432]</a> wrote the letters and you +corrected the press.”</p> + +<p>Francis at these words seemed startled; he coloured +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_405">[405]</span>and answered, as Albemarle thought, with emotions +of surprise: “<i>You have made much worse guesses, sir, +in your life than that</i>.”</p> + +<p>It tallies with my impressions of Francis’s conversations, +inasmuch as he always seemed to me to know +or imply something about <i>Junius</i>, but to <i>deny</i> strictly +his being the author.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="footnotes"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_406">[406]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="FOOTNOTES">FOOTNOTES</h2> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> [The ruler of Portugal at this time was Queen Maria I., who had +succeeded her father King Joseph in 1777. She married her uncle +Dom Pedro, who was proclaimed King conjointly with her. After the +successive death of her husband and eldest son in 1788, she became +insane, and the country was governed by her son Dom John, who was +officially declared Regent in 1799.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> [Percy, sixth Viscount Strangford (1780-1855), Minister Plenipotentiary +to the Portuguese Court.</p> + +<p>Early in November the Prince Regent of Portugal, alarmed by the +threats of Napoleon, had issued a declaration detaining British subjects +and property in Lisbon. Lord Strangford, after a final remonstrance, +at once went on board the English fleet, which was under the +command of Sir Sidney Smith. A rigorous blockade of the Tagus +was enforced, but this state of affairs only lasted a few days. +Intercourse with the Court was renewed, and Lord Strangford +returned to Lisbon on the 27th.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> My authorities for the facts related in the text are Sir Graham +Moore;* Mr. Sitaro, a Portuguese merchant who victualled our fleets +from Lisbon; Mr. Chamberlayne, then agent of packets at Lisbon, subsequently +Consul at Rio Janeiro; and Mr. Bell, an English merchant, +whose talents and intrepidity during the French occupation of Portugal +should have entitled him to the place of Consul in 1809, but were found +unequal to contend with the qualifications of Mr. Jeffrey,† a member of +the House of Commons distinguished for his coarse calumnies and unfounded +charges against Lord St. Vincent.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[* Admiral Sir Graham Moore (1764-1843), a younger brother of Sir +John Moore. The commander of the English fleet which escorted the +Portuguese Royal Family to the Brazils.]</p> + +<p>[† M.P. for Poole. His attacks on Lord St. Vincent took place in 1805 +and 1806.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> [For Lord Holland’s note on Lord Strangford’s dispatch, <a href="#APPENDIX_A">see +Appendix A</a>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> [Domingo Antonio de Souza-Continho, Marquis de Funchal (1765-1832), +Portuguese Ambassador in England.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> [An expedition against Mexico. See <i>Memoirs of the Whig Party</i>, +vol. ii p. 117.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[7]</a> [The detention of Prince Ferdinand at Bayonne, whither Charles IV. +had fled, and the rapid concentration of French armies on Madrid +had caused the latent fury of the Spanish people to reach boiling +point. A riot took place on May 2 in Madrid, in which five hundred +French and many Spaniards were slain; and this within a few days +was the signal for risings in every province of the country.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[8]</a> [Francis Horner, Esq. (1778-1817), a leading politician on the +Whig side. One of the originators of the <i>Edinburgh Review</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[9]</a> [John, tenth Earl of Westmorland (1759-1841), Lord Privy Seal.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[10]</a> [Florida Blanca (1728-1808), Spanish statesman. He was head +of the Government from 1777 to 1791, when he was dismissed by +Charles IV. and thrown into prison.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="label">[11]</a> [Don Gaspar Melchior de Jovellanos (1744-1811), Spanish statesman +and author.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="label">[12]</a> [William Wickham (1761-1840). His activity as British Minister +in Switzerland caused the French Directory to demand his expulsion +in 1798. He was a member of the Treasury Board under Lord +Grenville, 1806-1807.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="label">[13]</a> [<a href="#Page_11">See <i>ante</i>, p. 11.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="label">[14]</a> [The lenient terms of the Convention were generally condemned +in England, and were even referred to with disapprobation in the +King’s Speech at the commencement of the following Session, +(January 19, 1809).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="label">[15]</a> [Sir William Napier states that Moore obtained the command +owing to the goodwill of the King, and that a few months before +the Ministers had attempted to drive him into private life. Their +hostility was fostered by Canning, whose friend Drummond, the +British envoy at Palermo, Moore had thwarted when in command of +the troops in Sicily. Sir John Moore wrote at this period in his Diary, +edited by Major-General Sir J. F. Maurice (vol. ii. p. 250): “I understand +that several of the Cabinet have taken a personal dislike to me, +though I have seldom seen them, and they can know nothing of me. +They wish to hold up Sir Arthur Wellesley.... Though they were +forced to approve what I had done in Sweden, yet it was against the +grain, for I took no trouble to conceal the ignorance which had sent +us there, when they should have known from the character of the +King and the weakness of his force that it was impossible for anything +to be done.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="label">[16]</a> Sir John Moore was a Scotchman.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_17" href="#FNanchor_17" class="label">[17]</a> [Sir H. E. Bunbury, in his <i>Narrative</i>, says of him: “His manner +was singularly agreeable to those whom he liked, but to those whom +he did not esteem his bearing was severe.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_18" href="#FNanchor_18" class="label">[18]</a> [Right Hon. John Hookham Frere (1769-1846), diplomatist and +author. Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, 1799-1800: Minister at +Lisbon, 1800: and at Madrid, 1802. After his failure in Spain, he +refused further employment, and devoted himself to literature. Frere, +being an intimate friend of Canning, was not likely to regard Moore +with favour or to make any great exertions on his behalf.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_19" href="#FNanchor_19" class="label">[19]</a> [Manuel de Godoy, Duke of Alcudia (1767-1851), favourite and +Minister of Charles IV.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_20" href="#FNanchor_20" class="label">[20]</a> [General Sir David Baird (1757-1829), Sir John Moore’s second-in-command.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_21" href="#FNanchor_21" class="label">[21]</a> Honble. Bladen Capel, who commanded the <i>Endymion</i>. (The +account in the text was given me by Captain Basil Hall, then a +midshipman in that ship, and confirmed by Capel himself.—V.H.)</p> + +<p>[Afterwards Admiral Sir Thomas Bladen Capel, K.C.B. (1776-1853), +youngest son of William Anne, fourth Earl of Essex.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_22" href="#FNanchor_22" class="label">[22]</a> [This letter, dated January 13, 1809, was written to Lord +Castlereagh (<i>Castlereagh Correspondence</i>, vii. 26). The passage referred +to in the text is as follows: “Your lordship knows that had I followed +my own opinion as a military man, I should have retired with the +army from Salamanca. The Spanish armies were then beaten. I +was sensible, however, that had the British been withdrawn, the loss +of the cause would have been imputed to their retreat. It was for +this reason that I made the march to Sagunhan. As a diversion it +succeeded: I brought the whole disposable force of the French against +this army, and it has been allowed to follow it without a single movement +being made to favour my retreat.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_23" href="#FNanchor_23" class="label">[23]</a> [The Austrians made no actual move against France till March, +1809, but the intelligence of their activity caused Napoleon’s departure +from Spain. He must, however, probably have realised, judging from +an order issued when he was about to leave the army, that the +escape of Moore and his force was ultimately certain.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_24" href="#FNanchor_24" class="label">[24]</a> [General Sir Robert Wilson (1777-1849), author of the <i>History +of the British Expedition to Egypt</i>. He was dismissed from the army +for a supposed participation in a riot on the occasion of Queen +Caroline’s funeral, but was reinstated in 1830.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_25" href="#FNanchor_25" class="label">[25]</a> [Commander-in-Chief in Portugal for a few months.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_26" href="#FNanchor_26" class="label">[26]</a> [He was created Marquis de la Union, an appellation curiously +unsuited to his record in Spain.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_27" href="#FNanchor_27" class="label">[27]</a> [William Adam (1751-1839), at this time Attorney-General to the +Prince of Wales and trustee to the Duke of York in certain private +matters.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_28" href="#FNanchor_28" class="label">[28]</a> [Sir David Dundas (1735-1820), Commander-in-Chief, 1809-1811.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_29" href="#FNanchor_29" class="label">[29]</a> [Mr. Creevey writes in his diary, dated, November 12, 1809: “I +meet Abercromby in my walk.... When I tell him Wardle is on +his legs again, all he can say is, ‘Wardle is the agent of the Duke of +Kent.’ Was there ever such nonsense?” (<i>Creevey Papers</i>, vol. i. p. 113). +Creevey seems, however, to have been a personal friend of Colonel +Wardle. “I can’t bring myself to think there is anything bad in +him, and I have looked at him in all ways in order to be sure of +him. I know he is in distress for money, but all men from his part +of the country dine with him and speak well of him.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_30" href="#FNanchor_30" class="label">[30]</a> [William, afterwards third Earl of Radnor (1779-1869).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_31" href="#FNanchor_31" class="label">[31]</a> [John Charles, Viscount Althorp (1782-1845), who succeeded his +father as Earl Spencer in 1834; Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1830-1834.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_32" href="#FNanchor_32" class="label">[32]</a> [Right Hon. George Ponsonby (1755-1817), son of John Ponsonby, +Esq. He distinguished himself in the Irish Parliament, and was made +Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1806. He was leader of the Whigs in +the House of Commons from 1808 until his death in 1817, which +resulted from a stroke of paralysis in the House.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_33" href="#FNanchor_33" class="label">[33]</a> [Sir William Napier states that the primary object of the expedition +was to insure the safety of the town and Spanish fleet against any +possibility of capture by the French. The negotiations finally fell +through, owing to the wavering policy of the English Cabinet and the +ill-judged diplomatic methods of Mr. Frere. The Supreme Junta +refused to allow the British troops to enter the town, though the mob +were clamouring for their admittance. After Sir George Smith’s death +the command devolved on General Mackenzie, who returned with the +troops to Lisbon after all hope of a satisfactory arrangement was at +an end.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_34" href="#FNanchor_34" class="label">[34]</a> [Sir Sidney Smith had been sent out to command the South +American Station in 1808.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_35" href="#FNanchor_35" class="label">[35]</a> [It is perhaps worthy of note that Lord Castlereagh’s biographer, +Sir Archibald Alison, treats the expedition to Walcheren as one of a +number of important moves against Napoleon. He considers that the +War Secretary’s policy, unaltered throughout his tenure of office, was +to break Napoleon’s power of meeting Great Britain on the sea, and +illustrates his view by the mention of the successive expeditions aimed +at the destruction or capture of fleets belonging to European Powers in +subjection to France—<i>viz.</i>, the bombardment of Copenhagen, the +blockade of the Russian fleet in the Baltic, the expeditions to Lisbon and +Cadiz, etc. Had Lord Castlereagh been able to persuade the Cabinet +to undertake this expedition in 1808 instead of 1809, the destruction +of the French fleet then building at Antwerp would have been assured. +As it was, a daring and forward policy and a strict obedience to the +original orders from home would have attained its object; but the +incapacity and jealousy of the commanders gave Napoleon time to +reinforce his garrisons, and doomed the British force to inactivity and +disease in the swamps of the Scheldt.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_36" href="#FNanchor_36" class="label">[36]</a> [John, second Earl of Chatham (1756-1835). He held the +posts of First Lord of the Admiralty, 1788-1794; Lord Privy Seal, +1794-1796; Lord President of the Council, 1796-1801; Master-General +of the Ordnance, 1801-1806; Governor of Gibraltar, +1820-1835. Alison states that, “Lord Castlereagh was constrained +by the highest influence to offer the command to the Earl of +Chatham.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_37" href="#FNanchor_37" class="label">[37]</a> [A monument was erected there by Lady Chatham, consisting of a +marble urn, with a medallion by John Bacon. It is stated in the +<i>Dictionary of National Biography</i> that the memorial was removed to +Stowe, and is now at Revesby Abbey, Lincolnshire.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_38" href="#FNanchor_38" class="label">[38]</a> [He served in Canada on Sir Guy Carleton’s staff from 1774 to +March, 1776, when he was removed by his father from the army, owing +to the continuance of the American War. He returned to the service +two years later on the outbreak of war with France.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_39" href="#FNanchor_39" class="label">[39]</a> [Admiral Sir Home Popham (1762-1820). He had been attached +to the Duke of York’s army in Flanders in 1795, and had thus gained +experience and local knowledge of its seaboard. In this expedition +he commanded the <i>Venerable</i>, seventy-four guns.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_40" href="#FNanchor_40" class="label">[40]</a> [The newly appointed Master-General of the Ordnance.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_41" href="#FNanchor_41" class="label">[41]</a> [Joseph Fouché, Duke of Otranto (1763-1820), one of Napoleon’s +chief agents in the overthrow of the Directory. At this period +Minister of Police and of the Interior.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_42" href="#FNanchor_42" class="label">[42]</a> The circumstances related in the text, which I committed to paper +in 1817 or 1818, have been confirmed this year by the publication of +Fouché’s memoirs: the agent, I learnt from those memoirs, to be no +other than Ouvrard.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Gabriel Julien Ouvrard (1770-1846), French financier.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_43" href="#FNanchor_43" class="label">[43]</a> [A story is told in the <i>Memoirs of Sir Charles Napier</i>, on the +authority of Lady Castlereagh, that Canning was willing to reinstate +Castlereagh if he would give up Sir John Moore. Alison states +the cause of the duel to have been the fact that Castlereagh detected, +in the intrigue, a design of Canning for self-advancement and resented +it accordingly.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_44" href="#FNanchor_44" class="label">[44]</a> Lord Grenville says, in a letter to me, October 17, 1809: “I +really think, by dint of showing how ill he has been used, Castlereagh +will begin to make himself regretted. It will be a singular conclusion +of the business, if the compassion of the public should be excited +in favour of the one Minister who was perhaps of them all the +most unpopular.”</p> + +<p>Such was, however, the conclusion, and Lord Grenville turned out +a prophet.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_45" href="#FNanchor_45" class="label">[45]</a> [Right Hon. Charles Bragge Bathurst, cousin of Lord Bathurst. +He accepted the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster +from Lord Liverpool in 1812.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_46" href="#FNanchor_46" class="label">[46]</a> [Sir Benjamin Hobhouse (1757-1831), father of the first Lord +Broughton. Secretary to the Board of Control under Addington +in 1803, and created a baronet in 1812.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_47" href="#FNanchor_47" class="label">[47]</a> Mr. Sydney Smith said coarsely, but wittily, that the Whig canvass +for Lord Grenville at Oxford was like the trustees of the Magdalen +applying to place a reclaimed prostitute at a baudy house.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_48" href="#FNanchor_48" class="label">[48]</a> [Better known as Lord Wycombe. His wife was the widow of Sir +Duke Gifford, of Castle Jordan, in Ireland. Lord Lansdowne was +succeeded by his half-brother, Lord Henry Petty.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_49" href="#FNanchor_49" class="label">[49]</a> [Princess Liechstenstein, in her book on Holland House, alludes +to this story as a fabrication. Her version, however, is that the lines +were composed by Lord Holland, describing the probable nature of +his own death.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_50" href="#FNanchor_50" class="label">[50]</a> [Son of William, first Marquess of Lansdown, by his second +wife, Lady Louisa Fitzpatrick; born in 1780.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_51" href="#FNanchor_51" class="label">[51]</a> [Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_52" href="#FNanchor_52" class="label">[52]</a> In 1815, or early in 1816, Lady Holland and myself were asked if +we would receive him without any explanation of his long estrangement. +We answered, “Yes”; and he resumed the habits of +familiarity and intimacy as if nothing had happened.—V.H. [<a href="#Page_234">See +p. 234.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_53" href="#FNanchor_53" class="label">[53]</a> [Henry George, Lord Porchester, who succeeded his father as +second Earl of Carnarvon in 1811. Born in 1772; died in 1833.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_54" href="#FNanchor_54" class="label">[54]</a> [James, eighth Earl of Lauderdale (1759-1839). During the greater +part of his political life he was included among the ultra-Whigs, but +after 1820 his views underwent a radical change, and he even became +an opponent of Lord Grey’s Reform Bill.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_55" href="#FNanchor_55" class="label">[55]</a> [Right Hon. Richard Ryder (1766-1832), second son of Nathaniel, +first Baron Harrowby.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_56" href="#FNanchor_56" class="label">[56]</a> [William Frederick Eden (1782-1810), eldest son of William, first +Lord Auckland, and Deputy-Teller of the Exchequer. He was found +drowned in the Thames.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_57" href="#FNanchor_57" class="label">[57]</a> [Right Hon. Charles Philip Yorke (1764-1834), eldest son +of the Right Hon. Charles Yorke, by his second wife; Secretary for +War under Mr. Addington.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_58" href="#FNanchor_58" class="label">[58]</a> [John Gale Jones, the President of a debating society known +by the high-sounding name of the “British Forum.” He was by trade +an apothecary.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_59" href="#FNanchor_59" class="label">[59]</a> This they technically call “cushioning” a speaker.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_60" href="#FNanchor_60" class="label">[60]</a> [Published in 1866, by Mrs. Henry Baring.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_61" href="#FNanchor_61" class="label">[61]</a> [George Ellis (1745-1815), miscellaneous writer. He contributed +to the <i>Rolliad</i> and the <i>Anti-Jacobin</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_62" href="#FNanchor_62" class="label">[62]</a> The Charter’s House, I think.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Mr. Windham died from the effects of a severe operation for +tumour, which was caused by a slight injury received about a year +before, while helping to save a valuable library from a fire in the +house of his friend, the Hon. Frederick North.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_63" href="#FNanchor_63" class="label">[63]</a> I have been told that some parts of the original, not extracted +by Mr. Ellis, and written in very plain English but in the Greek +character, are very strange, and relate to very strange subjects.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_64" href="#FNanchor_64" class="label">[64]</a> [By a clause in the Appropriation Bill this sum was to be handed +over to Queen Anne’s Bounty for the relief of the poorer clergy.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_65" href="#FNanchor_65" class="label">[65]</a> [Dr. John Allen (1771-1843). He was first introduced to Lord +and Lady Holland in 1801, and accompanied them to Spain as their +medical adviser. After their return in 1805, he lived almost entirely at +Holland House, and was treated as a member of the family. He was a +constant contributor to the Whig periodicals and reviews, and also +published several historical treatises.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_66" href="#FNanchor_66" class="label">[66]</a> [Lord Lauderdale’s amendment in the House of Lords was directed +against the payment of compensation to Mr. Thomas Scott for the +abolition of a small Government post in Edinburgh, to which he had +only been appointed a short time previously. A letter from Sir +Walter Scott to his brother, written a few weeks later, is quoted in +Lockhart’s <i>Life of Sir Walter Scott</i>: “Lord Holland has been in +Edinburgh, and we met accidentally at a public party. He made up +to me, but I remembered his part in your affair, and <i>cut</i> him with as +little remorse as an old pen.” The meeting took place at a dinner +of the <i>Friday Club</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_67" href="#FNanchor_67" class="label">[67]</a> [Covent Garden Theatre was destroyed by fire in September, 1808, +and Drury Lane in February, 1809. The former was reopened by +Kemble, with <i>Macbeth</i>, in September, 1809. The rise in prices, which +aroused the displeasure of the theatre-going public, was but a small +one. An extra shilling was to be charged for the boxes, and sixpence +for the pit. The riots continued until the middle of December, when +the original prices were restored.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_68" href="#FNanchor_68" class="label">[68]</a> [Henry Clifford (1768-1813), son of Hon. Thomas Clifford, of +Tixall, Staffordshire.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_69" href="#FNanchor_69" class="label">[69]</a> The old Duke of Queensberry, in theory and practice the most +selfish philosopher and consistent voluptuary of our days, tremblingly +alive to every appearance of danger which threatened even remotely +the stability of property, took the alarm. I believe he parted with +money in support of the interests of the managers, and he subscribed +largely soon afterwards to the rebuilding of Drury Lane Theatre.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_70" href="#FNanchor_70" class="label">[70]</a> Such I have seen from him to his sister, the Crown Princess of +Brunswick; the copy of Smollett’s edition containing the mysterious +passage I never saw. His son, George IV., when Prince of Wales, +told me it was in Lord Buckingham’s library or in Buckingham House +library; and, strange to say, I forget which.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_71" href="#FNanchor_71" class="label">[71]</a> [The following anecdote appears in a manuscript volume containing +various reminiscences and short essays written by Lord Holland, +which may possibly relate to the incident mentioned in the text: +“In the Coalition Administration there was a Cabinet held for granting +pardons and reprieves and signing warrants of execution, etc., when +a difficulty occurred that had not been foreseen, <i>viz.</i>, that when +sentence of death was converted into transportation there was no +place to transport the felons to. Some conversation ensued between +Lord North and Mr. Fox, when His Majesty, with a levity quite +unusual to his character, said, ‘Gentlemen, the felons used to be sent +to America. But America is now lost. It is none of my fault. It +is for you, gentlemen’ (addressing Mr. Fox and Lord North) ‘to settle +it between you;’ and retired half bowing and skipping out of the +room. Mr. Fox, probably from having been disconcerted at so strange +a sally, would never allow that there was the least pleasantry or +fun in this singular trait of His Majesty; and General Conway observed +on the spot that it seemed to him His Majesty was a little touched +in the head.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_72" href="#FNanchor_72" class="label">[72]</a> [Mr. Pitt resigned in 1801 on account of the King’s refusal to deal +in any way with the Roman Catholic question.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_73" href="#FNanchor_73" class="label">[73]</a> Afterwards Sir Herbert.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[He was originally Military-Secretary to the Duke of York, and first +acted as Secretary to the King in 1804. It is stated on his own +authority that he was the first Private Secretary employed by George III.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_74" href="#FNanchor_74" class="label">[74]</a> [Jesse, in his <i>Memoirs of King George III.</i>, states that the King +had at some period of his youth conceived a passionate admiration for +Elizabeth, Countess of Pembroke, daughter of Charles, second Duke +of Marlborough. Whether this ever came to the knowledge of the +lady in question is uncertain, but her beauty seems to have made a +deep impression on George III.’s mind. During his illness in 1789, +and again in 1810, her name was continually on his lips; and it is even +reported that he thought he was married to her, and was furious at +not being allowed to see her.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_75" href="#FNanchor_75" class="label">[75]</a> If His Majesty meant by “stable” monarchical, his prophecy has +been happily fulfilled; but if he used the word in its true sense, the +events of the ensuing forty years strangely belied his expectations. +Almost every monarchy in Christendom has been convulsed by insurrections, +revolutions, and changes, but the Republic of the United +States has been uniformly tranquil and undisturbed in its sure progress, +improvement, and prosperity.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_76" href="#FNanchor_76" class="label">[76]</a> [Edward Venables Vernon (1757-1847), youngest son of George, +first Lord Vernon, and Martha, daughter of Hon. Simon Harcourt; +appointed to the See of York in 1807. He took the name of Harcourt +in 1831, on succeeding to the estates of that family.</p> + +<p>Charles Manners-Sutton, grandson of the third Duke of Rutland; +born in 1755; became Bishop of Norwich in 1792, and Archbishop of +Canterbury in 1805; died in 1828. He was father of Charles Manners-Sutton, +created Viscount Canterbury, Speaker from 1817 to 1834. +Wraxall relates that Pitt was anxious to raise Dr. Tomline, Bishop of +Lincoln, who was at one time his Private Secretary, to the vacancy at +Canterbury. George III., however, refused to listen to the suggestion, +and insisted on the appointment of Dr. Manners-Sutton.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_77" href="#FNanchor_77" class="label">[77]</a> Perhaps, when compared with his immediate predecessors, he is +entitled to some little praise for promoting literature and encouraging +the arts. His father had courted popularity by affecting a passion +for poetry, and the real or ostentatious respect for letters entertained +by Lord Bute had impressed on his mind a notion that it became a +sovereign to patronise such pursuits. He accordingly founded the +Royal Library, pensioned Dr. Johnson and some less celebrated +writers, and collected more than one valuable library. He had, however, +little or no perception of the beauties of any of those arts he +thus rewarded. He had no relish for poetry, wit, or eloquence; no +love of study; no discrimination in painting, sculpture, or even conversation. +He had some fanciful notions about architecture, but all +perverted or bad.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_78" href="#FNanchor_78" class="label">[78]</a> Beneficia, eo usque læta sunt, dum videntur exsolvi posse: ubi +multum antevenere, pro gratia odium redditur.—<i>Tacitus Ann.</i>, lib. +iv. 18.</p> + +<p>Quidam, quo plus debent, eo magis oderunt. Leve æs alienum +debitorem facit, grave inimicum.—<i>Seneca</i>, ep. 19.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_79" href="#FNanchor_79" class="label">[79]</a> It was with reference to this infirmity or talent, whichever it be, +in His Royal Highness, that Mr. Fox, on being sent for by him +from the country to hear an explanation of his conduct or sentiments +on some public occasion, said with more peevishness, but with as +much pleasantry and simplicity, as were usual in him, “Here must +I leave my roses and St. Anne’s, and go to London to hear <i>a lie +an hour long</i> at Carlton House.” Nothing could more happily +describe the character of the Prince’s conversation when he wished +to conceal his views or opinions.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_80" href="#FNanchor_80" class="label">[80]</a> [Sir Robert Adair (1763-1855), son of Robert Adair, Surgeon to +George III., and Lady Caroline Keppel, daughter of the second +Earl of Albemarle.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_81" href="#FNanchor_81" class="label">[81]</a> [Lord Eldon.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_82" href="#FNanchor_82" class="label">[82]</a> [The Bill was composed of five resolutions: (1) Appointing the +Prince of Wales Regent with certain restrictions: (2) Refusing him +the power, for a time, of granting peerages: (3) Refusing the power +of granting offices and reversions for a longer term than the royal +pleasure: (4) Treating of the King’s private property: (5) Vesting +the management of the King’s Household in the Queen.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_83" href="#FNanchor_83" class="label">[83]</a> [Richard, second Lord Ashburton (1782-1823). The title became +extinct at his death.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_84" href="#FNanchor_84" class="label">[84]</a> [William Eden, created Lord Auckland in 1789. He died in 1814.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_85" href="#FNanchor_85" class="label">[85]</a> [Charles, third Earl Stanhope (1753-1816). He married a sister +of William Pitt, whom he supported in Parliament until 1786. During +that year Lord Stanhope succeeded to the title, and differences on +the Sinking Fund caused him to desert his brother-in-law and ally +himself to the Whigs. He was an ardent admirer of the revolutionary +doctrines in France, and gave his support to any advanced schemes +for reform in this country. Lord Holland gives a detailed account +of his inventions and eccentric ways in the early volumes of this work. +See also p. 245.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_86" href="#FNanchor_86" class="label">[86]</a> [By a majority of 3. The House adjourned at 5 o’clock in the +morning.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_87" href="#FNanchor_87" class="label">[87]</a> [Gustavus IV., King of Sweden from 1792 to 1809. In the latter +year he was removed from the throne by the Swedish people, who were +enraged by his foreign policy. He was succeeded by his uncle.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_88" href="#FNanchor_88" class="label">[88]</a> [Lord Grenville insisted on retaining his auditorship in addition +to the post of First Lord of the Treasury. The arrangement was +especially indefensible, from his objection to the principle in the case +of two members of the existing Government.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_89" href="#FNanchor_89" class="label">[89]</a> [Lord Holland was accustomed to take a house in London every +year. Holland House was at that period completely surrounded by +country. Dr. Drew writes in December, 1797: “Again, the walk from +Kensington to Hyde Park Corner by day is pleasant enough, but the +return by night dark and dangerous and infested by footpads....” +(<i>Holland House MSS.</i>)]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_90" href="#FNanchor_90" class="label">[90]</a> [See Moore’s <i>Life of Sheridan</i>, vol. ii. p. 394.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_91" href="#FNanchor_91" class="label">[91]</a> [Francis Charles, Earl of Yarmouth (1777-1842), who succeeded +his father as second Marquess of Hertford in 1822.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_92" href="#FNanchor_92" class="label">[92]</a> Then Dr. Vaughan.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[George III.’s principal medical attendant.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_93" href="#FNanchor_93" class="label">[93]</a> [Charles William, Viscount Milton (1786-1857). He succeeded +his father as Earl Fitzwilliam in 1833.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_94" href="#FNanchor_94" class="label">[94]</a> Lord Dartmouth, in his notes to Burnett, ascribes this repartee to +some other Whig lord. No matter who said it, the saying is good, +illustrates much of the private and party history of this country, and +is, I think, applicable to the passage which I have been relating.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_95" href="#FNanchor_95" class="label">[95]</a> [General the Hon. Richard FitzPatrick (1748-1813), Lord Holland’s +uncle.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_96" href="#FNanchor_96" class="label">[96]</a> Lords Grey and Grenville.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_97" href="#FNanchor_97" class="label">[97]</a> Cumberland.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_98" href="#FNanchor_98" class="label">[98]</a> Bedfordshire.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_99" href="#FNanchor_99" class="label">[99]</a> Vernon Smith, his nephew, then ill at Ampthill Park.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_100" href="#FNanchor_100" class="label">[100]</a> Mr. Wellesley Pole, afterwards Lord Maryborough, brother to +the Duke of Wellington.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_101" href="#FNanchor_101" class="label">[101]</a> [The letter is given in the <i>Annual Register</i> for 1811, p. 12.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_102" href="#FNanchor_102" class="label">[102]</a> [<i>Ex officio</i> informations are those filed by the Attorney-General +<i>in virtue of his office</i>, without applying to the court, where they are +filed, for leave, or giving the defendant an opportunity of showing +cause why they should not be filed (<i>Cabinet Lawyer</i>).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_103" href="#FNanchor_103" class="label">[103]</a> [Edward Law, first Baron Ellenborough (1750-1818). Lord +Chief Justice from 1802 till the year of his death. Charles Greville, +in his <i>Memoirs</i>, repeats an amusing story of his treatment of counsel +in his court. “A man was opening his speech, and said, ‘My Lord, +my unfortunate client,’ and then repeated the words again. ‘Go on, +sir,’ said Lord Ellenborough, ‘the court is with you so far.’”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_104" href="#FNanchor_104" class="label">[104]</a> [“The general tenour of his speech (that of Mr. Horner on May 6) +was to show that the paper currency of the country had undergone an +actual depreciation, and that the only remedy was to provide for the +resumption of cash payments at the bank as speedily as possible.”—<i>Annual +Register</i>, 1811.</p> + +<p>The report of the Parliamentary Committee on bullion, of which +Mr. Horner was president and Mr. (afterwards Sir Robert) Peel was a +member, was to the same effect, <i>i.e.</i> that paper issues were always +liable to depreciation unless they were at any time convertible into +gold.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_105" href="#FNanchor_105" class="label">[105]</a> [Peter, seventh Lord King (1776-1833). His eldest son, who +succeeded him, was created Earl of Lovelace.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_106" href="#FNanchor_106" class="label">[106]</a> [This famous case was raised by William Berkeley, eldest son of +Frederick-Augustus, fifth Earl of Berkeley, on the death of his father +in 1810, claiming the titles. He was born in 1786, and though his +father was not supposed to have married his mother, Mary Cole, until +1796, a secret marriage was alleged to have taken place in 1785. +This was, however, proved to be untrue, and the suit was disallowed. +William Berkeley was created Earl Fitzhardinge in 1841: his youngest +brother, the only son born after the marriage, never took any steps +to claim the title of Earl of Berkeley.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_107" href="#FNanchor_107" class="label">[107]</a> In the course of the cause a question arose whether the declaration +or deposition of the late Lord Berkeley could be admitted in evidence. +It was referred to the judges; and their solemn opinion was delivered +that it could <i>not</i>. Never was the force of a phrase more strongly +exemplified than on that occasion. Mr. Justice Laurence drew a +distinction between declarations made before and after any question +had been raised on the subject. In stating the distinction, he borrowed +a Latin phrase from the Civil Law, and said that a declaration <i>post +litem motam</i> could not be admitted. <i>Lis mota</i> occurred in every fourth +or fifth sentence of every opinion delivered afterwards by the learned +judges. The Lords looked wise, and acknowledged in whispers to each +other a <i>lis mota</i> altered the whole nature of a declaration. The +declaration in question was, on this principle, rejected. Yet the phrase +<i>lis mota</i>, which seemed to awaken all the recollections of the learned, +was then mentioned for the first time, and had hitherto been utterly +unknown to our law and our lawyers. Even the principle, though +perhaps not unreasonable, had never, or at least very seldom, if ever, +been recognised in our Courts.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_108" href="#FNanchor_108" class="label">[108]</a> The business was decided in Parliament, or rather compromised +finally elsewhere in 1812, but it was obvious that the zeal of the +Prince Regent in the cause of his friend had abated in 1811.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Colonel Palmer, the manager of the Bath Theatre, had, in 1784, after +much difficulty, obtained a trial for his scheme of fast mail coaches. Such +was its success that, in 1800, the postal revenues were more than +trebled. It was at first proposed to grant him 2½ per cent. on +a portion of the increase, but this fell through, owing to the opposition +of the authorities, and with much difficulty he finally obtained a +pension of £3,000 a year and a gratuity of £50,000.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_109" href="#FNanchor_109" class="label">[109]</a> I have sometimes thought that this book, which is too long, +might with due regard to method and perspicuity be divided here. +As it stands, however, it embraces all the negotiations between the +Prince Regent and the Whigs, and the period included in it is not +more than one year and half.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_110" href="#FNanchor_110" class="label">[110]</a> When I related the substance of these conversations to Lord Grey, +I could not but be diverted with his characteristic and somewhat +jealous remark, “There was no use,” said he, “in mentioning A. G. +Ponsonby; to such an arrangement there might be many objections. +I feel some myself.”—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_111" href="#FNanchor_111" class="label">[111]</a> [General the Hon. Henry Edward Fox, Lord Holland’s uncle, +youngest brother of Charles James Fox. He was born in 1755, and +married, in 1786, Marianne, daughter of William Clayton, Esq.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_112" href="#FNanchor_112" class="label">[112]</a> Lord Dorchester.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_113" href="#FNanchor_113" class="label">[113]</a> [Rumours were afloat in Spain at this time of a desire to place +British officers in command of Spanish troops, and of the possibility of +a permanent occupation by the English of certain portions of Spanish +territory. A note was delivered to the Cortes by the British Minister, +Mr. Wellesley, flatly contradicting these statements.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_114" href="#FNanchor_114" class="label">[114]</a> [Richard Colley, Marquess Wellesley (1760-1842), elder brother +of the Duke of Wellington; Governor-General of India, 1797-1805; +Ambassador at Madrid, 1809; Foreign Secretary, 1809-1812; Lord-Lieutenant +of Ireland, 1821-1828 and 1833-1834.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_115" href="#FNanchor_115" class="label">[115]</a> [Sir Archibald Alison claims the initiation of this policy for +Lord Castlereagh. Lord Holland’s account, however, is more probably +correct, for Mr. Thornton, who was in charge of the negotiations, +was sent to Sweden five months before Lord Castlereagh’s return +to office.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_116" href="#FNanchor_116" class="label">[116]</a> Some say he was a relation, and an Irishman. The original name +of the Wellesley or Wesley family was Colley.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_117" href="#FNanchor_117" class="label">[117]</a> [His views on the Roman Catholic question also tended to his +subsequent resignation. <a href="#APPENDIX_B">See Appendix B.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_118" href="#FNanchor_118" class="label">[118]</a> [He delivered up the Seals on February 19th.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_119" href="#FNanchor_119" class="label">[119]</a> [The letter is published in the <i>Annual Register</i> for 1812, p. 329. +After a lengthy dissertation on the state of affairs at the moment when +he became Regent, the Prince discussed the danger of any sudden +change of Administration in the critical state of the war, but hoped +that his former friends would combine with the Ministers to form a +really powerful Government. He asked the Duke of York to convey +this expression of his views to Lords Grey and Grenville.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_120" href="#FNanchor_120" class="label">[120]</a> I allude particularly to Mr. Southey,* who should have found +in the recollection of early kindnesses received from Mr. Charles +Williams Wynn,† when he was himself accused of obnoxious and +Jacobinical principles and not in affluent circumstances, some motives +for suppressing or softening rather than promulgating and exaggerating +any hasty or unguarded declarations which that gentleman might +have made to him in the heat of argument or in the warmth and +confidence of friendship. But Mr. Southey seemed about that time +tired of opinions which led to no worldly advantages, and angry with +all Whigs because those among them who were critics were not +boundless in their admiration of all his poetical effusions.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[* Robert Southey (1774-1843), the poet.]</p> + +<p>[† Charles Watkin Williams Wynn (1775-1850), a nephew of Lord +Grenville and Under-Secretary for the Home Department in the Ministry +of “all the talents.” He settled a small allowance on Southey, which +was to continue until he was able to obtain a pension for him from +Government.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_121" href="#FNanchor_121" class="label">[121]</a> [<a href="#Page_103">See <i>ante</i>, p. 103.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_122" href="#FNanchor_122" class="label">[122]</a> [The letter appears on p. 331 of the <i>Annual Register</i> for 1812. +The reasons for their refusal to take office with the Ministers were +based entirely on the advice given them by Lord Lansdowne.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_123" href="#FNanchor_123" class="label">[123]</a> [For Foreign Affairs.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_124" href="#FNanchor_124" class="label">[124]</a> “Weep, daughter of a Royal line,” etc., etc.</p> + +<p>The stanzas are printed, and to be found in his works.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[The incident took place at a banquet at Carlton House on February +22, 1812. According to the account printed in the <i>Courier</i>, the +Prince Regent expressed his “surprise and mortification” at Lords +Grey and Grenville’s unfavourable reply to the Duke of York’s letter. +Lord Lauderdale thereupon made it clear, in somewhat brusque +language, that the sentiments of the two Lords reflected exactly the +disposition of the whole Whig party, and that he himself had given his +cordial assent to their answer.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_125" href="#FNanchor_125" class="label">[125]</a> It was written by Mr. Brougham.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_126" href="#FNanchor_126" class="label">[126]</a> I have altered this passage from “hitherto has been” to “was,” +for since I originally wrote it in 1821 the great poetical genius of +whom it treats has terminated his short and irregular, but brilliant, +career in a place and in circumstances (and perhaps at a period of +life) fortunate for his literary and political fame. He was perhaps +the shortest, but surely not the least, miracle of our age.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_127" href="#FNanchor_127" class="label">[127]</a> [John Milner, D.D. (1752-1826), Bishop of Castabala and Vicar-Apostolic +in the West of England.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_128" href="#FNanchor_128" class="label">[128]</a> [The chief question was whether the English Government should +have a right of veto on the appointment of Catholic Bishops in the +United Kingdom.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_129" href="#FNanchor_129" class="label">[129]</a> [These Orders in Council were issued in 1807, in order to +counteract Napoleon’s Berlin and Milan decrees against British commerce. +Any ship bound for a port in the French dominions was +proclaimed a lawful prize, unless she had already touched at some +British harbour.</p> + +<p>The effect of this was to entirely put an end to the carrying trade +of the world; for one side confiscated ships which had come from +English ports, and the other those which had not. The Americans +withdrew their ships entirely from European waters, and passed a +Non-Intercourse Act forbidding commercial transactions with either +of the combatants.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_130" href="#FNanchor_130" class="label">[130]</a> [Created Earl Granville in 1815. (1773-1846).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_131" href="#FNanchor_131" class="label">[131]</a> [<i>King Richard II.</i>, Act II., Scene i.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_132" href="#FNanchor_132" class="label">[132]</a> [Charles George, Lord Arden (1756-1840), Mr. Perceval’s eldest +brother.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_133" href="#FNanchor_133" class="label">[133]</a> I wrote this in 1820 or 1821. Since that period the impression of +which I speak, if not altered, has been worn away and is much forgotten. +The change in men and in the condition of the country, and +the unreasonable and extravagant excitement produced by recent crimes +and their punishments, have, I believe, obliterated in the mind of the +common people the recollection of their feelings about Bellingham.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_134" href="#FNanchor_134" class="label">[134]</a> [Mr. Perceval had, in April, sanctioned the appointment of Committees +of both Houses to examine the flood of petitions which were +pouring in.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_135" href="#FNanchor_135" class="label">[135]</a> [The papers and minutes relating to these negotiations are given +in the <i>Annual Register</i> for 1812, State Papers, p. 346, etc.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_136" href="#FNanchor_136" class="label">[136]</a> [This letter was dated May 18.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_137" href="#FNanchor_137" class="label">[137]</a> [James Archibald Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie (1776-1845), created +Baron Wharncliffe in 1826.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_138" href="#FNanchor_138" class="label">[138]</a> [Mr. Creevey’s account of these negotiations in a letter, dated +May 25, is worthy of comparison with the text: “First then when +Prinney sent for Wellesley, the latter began by mentioning some of +the Opposition as persons to be consulted with; to which the former +replied: ‘Don’t mention any names to me <i>now</i>, my Lord, but make +an Administration for me!’ To which the other says: ‘In a business +of such nicety I trust your Royal Highness will not press me for +time.’ ‘Take your own time,’ says Prinney, ‘tho’ there is not a +shilling left in the Exchequer!’” (<i>The Creevey Papers.</i>)]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_139" href="#FNanchor_139" class="label">[139]</a> [In a communication made to Lords Grey and Grenville at Lord +Grey’s house on May 23.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_140" href="#FNanchor_140" class="label">[140]</a> [George, third Earl of Egremont (1751-1837). He took little part +in politics, but is justly remembered for the encouragement he gave +to every form of art.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_141" href="#FNanchor_141" class="label">[141]</a> I think the Prince Regent wished to stipulate that Lord Wellesley +should be First Lord of the Treasury, but Lord Wellesley declared +to the two Lords in the first communication, and had probably stated +to His Royal Highness beforehand, that he wished to decline that office +and to leave the new Ministry, if formed, to cast the parts among themselves.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_142" href="#FNanchor_142" class="label">[142]</a> [Sir William Grant (1752-1832), Master of the Rolls from 1801 +to 1817.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_143" href="#FNanchor_143" class="label">[143]</a> This passage was written in the autumn of 1821. Within three +months the remark was in some senses practically refuted, for Lord +Wellesley was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, but whether at +the suggestion of Lord Liverpool’s Ministry or with its reluctant and +extorted consent, I cannot determine. March, 1822.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_144" href="#FNanchor_144" class="label">[144]</a> [<a href="#Page_87">See <i>ante</i>, p. 87.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_145" href="#FNanchor_145" class="label">[145]</a> [William Harry, third Earl of Darlington (1766-1842). He was +created Duke of Cleveland in 1833.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_146" href="#FNanchor_146" class="label">[146]</a> The Duke of Norfolk, on the first offer, gladly accepted it, and +returning to his house said to Mr. Stephenson, who lived with him, +with some exaltation, “I am Lord Privy Seal.” He afterwards found +he had no Whig, and scarcely any other, colleague; and he was off, +relating on his return home the very next day to the same gentleman, +with some pleasantry, “I am now not Lord Privy Seal.”—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_147" href="#FNanchor_147" class="label">[147]</a> [On June 8.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_148" href="#FNanchor_148" class="label">[148]</a> [The principal members of the new Government were as follows: +Earl of Liverpool, First Lord of the Treasury; Viscount Castlereagh, +Foreign Secretary; Lord Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty; Earl +Bathurst, Secretary for War and Colonies; Lord Sidmouth, Secretary +for Home Department; Lord Eldon, Lord Chancellor; Lord Harrowby, +Lord President of the Council.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_149" href="#FNanchor_149" class="label">[149]</a> [Mr. Stuart Wortley’s motion on May 21 for an efficient Administration. +<a href="#Page_136">See <i>ante</i>, p. 136.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_150" href="#FNanchor_150" class="label">[150]</a> [In 1813.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_151" href="#FNanchor_151" class="label">[151]</a> [William Wilberforce (1759-1833), the champion of the Bill for +the Abolition of the Slave Trade, which was passed in 1807.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_152" href="#FNanchor_152" class="label">[152]</a> [<a href="#Page_132">See <i>ante</i>, p. 132.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_153" href="#FNanchor_153" class="label">[153]</a> Major a longinquo reverentia.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_154" href="#FNanchor_154" class="label">[154]</a> [War broke out before the news of the repeal of the Orders in +Council reached the United States.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_155" href="#FNanchor_155" class="label">[155]</a> [James Stephen (1758-1832), brother-in-law and an active supporter +of Wilberforce in his efforts against the slave trade. A +pamphlet published by him in 1805, entitled <i>War in Disguise</i>, +is supposed to have suggested the Orders in Council. He retired +from Parliament in 1815, disgusted at the refusal of the Government +to support a bill for the registration of slaves.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_156" href="#FNanchor_156" class="label">[156]</a> [For Lord Holland’s previous attempts to modify the law with +respect to <i>ex officio</i> informations, <a href="#Page_99">see <i>ante</i>, p. 99</a>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_157" href="#FNanchor_157" class="label">[157]</a> In 1819.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_158" href="#FNanchor_158" class="label">[158]</a> “C’etoit un de mes caprices,” said that great Prince of him at +Elba. He had educated and fostered him like a son, he promoted +him like a favourite, and he was basely betrayed by him at Fontainebleau +in 1814. I remember Sir Lionel Copley, in 1799, defended his +suspicions of General Moreau by a humorous, not to say nonsensical, +coincidence: “When there are prospects of restorations by treachery,” +said he, “I do not like a General whose name begins with an <i>M</i>.” +What maledictions would he not have uttered when <i>M</i>ar<i>m</i>ont and +<i>M</i>orillo were added to the list of <i>M</i>onk and <i>M</i>oreau!—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Marmont, Duke of Ragusa (1774-1852) served in the artillery with +Napoleon, and was his principal aide-de-camp in his Italian campaign +of 1796. He reached the rank of Marshal in 1809, being promoted +for his success at Wagram. He defended Paris in 1813 against the +Allies while there was any hope of success, but afterwards went over +to the enemy, and was among the number of those excepted by +Napoleon from the amnesty on his return from Elba.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_159" href="#FNanchor_159" class="label">[159]</a> [Lord Wellington had just commenced his lunch, after a morning +spent in fruitless manœuvring, when an important movement on the +part of the French was announced. His practised eye at once took +in Marmont’s faulty dispositions. “By God!” he exclaimed, “that’ll +do!” and, hurling all his available troops at the weak spot, gained a +signal victory.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_160" href="#FNanchor_160" class="label">[160]</a> [On whom the command of the French troops had devolved.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_161" href="#FNanchor_161" class="label">[161]</a> [This was the occasion of the publication of <i>Rejected Addresses</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_162" href="#FNanchor_162" class="label">[162]</a> [Robert William Elliston (1774-1831), an actor of note, and a +successful manager. He took the management of Drury Lane Theatre +in 1819, and remained until 1826 when obliged by bankruptcy to resign +the post.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_163" href="#FNanchor_163" class="label">[163]</a> [When the Committee was formed in 1810 to rebuild the theatre, it +was arranged that Sheridan and his family should be bought out. It +was then stipulated that he should “have no concern or connection +of any kind with the new undertaking.” This Sheridan looked on +as a matter of form, and was greatly enraged when Whitbread, as +Chairman of the Committee, rigidly enforced the clause.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_164" href="#FNanchor_164" class="label">[164]</a> Sir Robert Wilson* was sent from the army to Alexander, to +inform him that they were resolved to consider any truce or +pacification that he should sign as extorted from him by force or +treachery; as the act of Romanzow,† not of their Sovereign; and +they authorised Sir Robert to convey his opinion to His Imperial +Majesty, as that of a foreign observer, that the army would not obey +any orders founded on a pacification. The result of this and other +intimations of the sort was the dismissal of Romanzow and the +adoption of firmer councils. The Empress Dowager, as well as the +Empress, took an opportunity of assuring Sir Robert Wilson that +the Emperor was now determined to abandon all notion of temporising +or yielding, and that he might be depended upon.</p> + +<p>(From conversation with Sir R. Wilson, 1825).—V.H.</p> + +<p>[* Sir Robert Wilson had just satisfactorily concluded a mission to +Constantinople and St. Petersburg dealing with the negotiations for +the re-establishment of peace between Turkey and Russia. He was at +that time attached to the Russian army, with instructions to communicate +all information to Lord Cathcart, the British Ambassador at +St. Petersburg.]</p> + +<p>[† Count Nicholas Romanzow (1753-1826) the Russian Chancellor.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_165" href="#FNanchor_165" class="label">[165]</a> [<a href="#Page_102">See <i>ante</i>, p. 102.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_166" href="#FNanchor_166" class="label">[166]</a> [William Conyngham Plunket, afterwards first Lord Plunket (1764-1854), +at this time member for Dublin University. Lord Castlereagh +declared that Mr. Plunket’s speech on February 25 dealing with this +question, “would never be forgotten.” He was appointed Lord +Chancellor of Ireland by Lord Grey in 1830.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_167" href="#FNanchor_167" class="label">[167]</a> [Gilbert Elliot, afterwards second Earl of Minto (1782-1859)].</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_168" href="#FNanchor_168" class="label">[168]</a> [Charles Abbot (1757-1829), created Lord Colchester in 1816. He +held the post of Speaker of the House of Commons from 1802 until +his elevation to the peerage.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_169" href="#FNanchor_169" class="label">[169]</a> [Lord Morpeth brought a motion in April, 1814, that the address of +the Speaker on the occasion referred to should not be treated as a +precedent; but it was defeated by a large majority. His action, however, +had the desired effect, and since that time no Speaker in his address has +referred to measures which have not been passed by the House of +Commons.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_170" href="#FNanchor_170" class="label">[170]</a> [Hon. Richard FitzPatrick, second son of John, first Earl of Upper +Ossory, and Evelyn, daughter of John, Earl Gower. He was born in +1748, and, entering the Army, rose to the rank of General.</p> + +<p>Mr. Creevey, in mentioning his death, says of him, “I thought you +might like to hear these particulars respecting the end of by far the +most clever of the quiet class I have ever seen, and the most perfect +judgt. of any class.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_171" href="#FNanchor_171" class="label">[171]</a> [April to December, 1783. He accompanied the Duke of Portland +to Ireland in 1782.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_172" href="#FNanchor_172" class="label">[172]</a> [It is interesting to note that Lord Grenville’s chief objection to +the policy of the Government was, that they were treating the interests +of the East India Company as of the highest importance, whereas he +considered that those of the British Crown should have the foremost +place. He maintained that a public assertion should be made of the +sovereignty of the Crown in India and the power of Parliament to +make laws for the general welfare of that vast country.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_173" href="#FNanchor_173" class="label">[173]</a> [See vol. ii. p. 149, in the earlier portion of Lord Holland’s +Memoir. In that year, owing to a report that the Princess had been +delivered of an illegitimate child, a Committee, consisting of Lords +Erskine, Ellenborough, Grenville, and Spencer, with Sir S. Romilly, +the Solicitor-General, as their legal adviser, was appointed to examine +into her conduct. They stated in their report that there was no vestige +of truth in the primary charge, but that in their opinion the levity of +her behaviour on several occasions was worthy of censure. The matter +again came to the front in 1813, owing to the Prince Regent’s refusal +in October of the preceding year to allow the Princess to see her +daughter, although she had gone specially to Windsor for that purpose. +Furious at the insult, she wrote the letters referred to in the text to +her husband and the Speaker of the House of Commons. A debate +in that House ensued, and the letters and papers were referred to a +Committee of the Privy Council, who reported that under the circumstances +they considered that the intercourse between mother and +daughter should be regulated and restricted.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_174" href="#FNanchor_174" class="label">[174]</a> [Whitbread.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_175" href="#FNanchor_175" class="label">[175]</a> [The Hon. Mrs. Lisle, a lady in attendance on the Princess, and +a witness in the case.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_176" href="#FNanchor_176" class="label">[176]</a> Mr. Brougham related to me this and the following facts many +years afterwards, and when he could have no object in deceiving +me.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_177" href="#FNanchor_177" class="label">[177]</a> I have questioned persons who attended her medically. The +duties and delicacies of their profession would, of course, prevent +their acknowledging such facts, if ascertained by their professional +attendance, even after her death; but the manner in which such +a hint was received, the official tone of every answer given to my +inquiries, the manifest embarrassment those inquiries occasioned, +and the absence of all direct contradiction or disposition to explode +the idea as absurd, confirmed me in my previous surmises. I have +no doubt she was mad.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_178" href="#FNanchor_178" class="label">[178]</a> [At the battle of Navarette in 1367.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_179" href="#FNanchor_179" class="label">[179]</a> [Sir George Murray (1772-1846), second son of Sir William Murray, +of Ochtertyre. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1812, +and, entering the House of Commons in 1823, became Secretary of State +for the Colonies in the Duke of Wellington’s Administration of 1828.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_180" href="#FNanchor_180" class="label">[180]</a> Mr. Fazakerley, a man of accuracy and veracity, soon after +seeing Napoleon at Elba in 1814 or 1815, related to me the following +admission of that extraordinary man, and has frequently alluded to or +repeated it since. He said that in all prudence he ought to have made +peace immediately after the victories of Bautzen and Lutzen, and +before the great battle of Leipsic. “Mais,” continued he, “je me +croyois assez fort et je me suis trompé. C’etoit là assurément le +moment de faire la paix, aussi l’aurois-je faite si je ne m’avois pas cru +plus fort que je ne l’etois en effet.” A singular admission, especially +for one not apt to be candid in acknowledging his errors.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_181" href="#FNanchor_181" class="label">[181]</a> [Lord Holland is probably mistaken as to the scene of this exploit. +An incident such as is described above certainly took place at the +battle of Lutzen: and the Emperor decorated Wilson with the cross of +the Order of St. George, taken from his own neck, at a review some +three weeks later.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_182" href="#FNanchor_182" class="label">[182]</a> [William, Prince of Orange, had fled to England in 1795, after +the occupation of Amsterdam by General Pichegru. A Republican +Government was then established until 1806, when Napoleon forced +his brother Louis on the unwilling people as their King. In 1814 the +tide turned against France (Holland had been annexed by that +country in 1813), and the Dutch rose in revolt. The Prince of Orange +was recalled, and was proclaimed King of Holland and Belgium under +the title of William I. The Monarchy was made hereditary, and a +Liberal Constitution was drawn up.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_183" href="#FNanchor_183" class="label">[183]</a> [Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838). He +quarrelled with Napoleon in 1808 when Secretary for Foreign +Affairs; and after that time sided secretly with the Bourbons, though +he retained his office.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_184" href="#FNanchor_184" class="label">[184]</a> [Emmerich-Joseph de Worms, Duc de Dalberg (1773-1833), a +friend and follower of Talleyrand.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_185" href="#FNanchor_185" class="label">[185]</a> [Lord Holland gives the same account of these intrigues in his +<i>Foreign Reminiscences</i>, p. 297. He there relates that the kind of +token sent to Metternich is uncertain. It was either the ring, a few +words in the Duc de Dalberg’s handwriting enclosed in a button, +or a note in Lord Castlereagh’s writing to the Princesse de Vaudemont, +as a proof of his being confidentially connected with Talleyrand. This +latter story was told him by Lord Goderich in 1833.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_186" href="#FNanchor_186" class="label">[186]</a> [Lord Holland somewhat minimises the popular desire, which, +according to other accounts, was manifested in the South for a +restoration of the Bourbons. The Duke of Wellington himself was +certainly in favour of the movement, though in conformity with +instructions from the English Government he refrained from any +expression of his personal views.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_187" href="#FNanchor_187" class="label">[187]</a> I had many of the facts, more in detail than here related, directly +from Mr. Gallois,* and indirectly from Dalberg himself; and they +were confirmed or corroborated by the concurrence of other accounts +of the less material facts from several others, and especially Pozzo +di Borgo,† whose interesting relation of these transactions I had +heard before I knew of Vitrolles’s intrigue, with which it was so far +from being inconsistent that it tallied exactly in one main particular, +the surprise of Alexander at finding no concerted plan for the Bourbons +on his arrival at Paris.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[* Jean Antoine Gallois, French politician, and friend of Lord Holland. +He died in 1828.]</p> + +<p>[† Count Pozzo di Borgo (1764-1842), diplomatist; afterwards Russian +Ambassador in England.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_188" href="#FNanchor_188" class="label">[188]</a> [Richard Westmacott, R.A. (1775-1856), the eminent sculptor.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_189" href="#FNanchor_189" class="label">[189]</a> [Lord Wellington received the news of the events in Paris on the +night of the 11th. The information was brought by Colonel Cooke, +accompanied by a French officer, who had orders to communicate +with the Marshals.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_190" href="#FNanchor_190" class="label">[190]</a> [Briefly, the situation was as follows. After the attack of the +Allies on Paris of March 30, Marmont, who was in command of the +French forces, capitulated; and the populace, without Napoleon to +lead them, acquiesced. A provisional Government was proclaimed +under the leadership of Talleyrand; the Emperor was dethroned on +April 2; and Louis XVIII. was made king. In the meanwhile Napoleon +himself remained at Fontainebleau. The army was on his side, but +the Marshals were tired of the unequal combat, and forced him to +abdicate in favour of his infant son. This proposal was refused by +the Allies, and under pressure he signed an unconditional surrender +on April 6.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_191" href="#FNanchor_191" class="label">[191]</a> Still a hotel in 1825 and formerly a house of Lord Monson’s. +The Houses of York, Stuart, and Bourbon all adopted white as their +emblems and divine hereditary right to the government of their fellow +creatures as their fundamental maxim.* Even English soldiers were +permitted to wear it, a circumstance which provoked the following +epigram from the pen of Mr. Rogers:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Wear it awhile, against him led,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">With your own blood you’ll dye it red.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But had your brave forefathers worn it,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Great Nassau from their brows had torn it.—V.H.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>[* It is a moot point whether divine right can be said to date back in +practice to the Wars of the Roses; though, in theory, Sir Robert Filmer +(1604-1653), a writer well known for his extreme opinions on this subject, +held that the doctrine commenced with the creation of man.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_192" href="#FNanchor_192" class="label">[192]</a> Napoleon inserted this just remark afterwards in one of his proclamations, +and felt perhaps a malicious pleasure in using the sarcasm +of Talleyrand against that party to whom he had contributed to +betray him.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_193" href="#FNanchor_193" class="label">[193]</a> [The Slave Trade was the subject of a special clause in the Treaty, +which, however, did not go as far as the enthusiasts on the subject had +hoped. The French King engaged himself to combine with the King of +England, at a future Congress, for general abolition; and in the meanwhile +consented that the trade should cease in French possessions +within five years. Lord Liverpool even offered, at the Congress of +Vienna, to cede the Island of Trinidad as compensation for the French +colonists who believed they would be utterly ruined by an immediate +cessation of the trade.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_194" href="#FNanchor_194" class="label">[194]</a> [Wilberforce and his party.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_195" href="#FNanchor_195" class="label">[195]</a> I think, on reflection, the King of Prussia only was there that +day.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Creevey says of this, in a letter dated June 21 (<i>Creevey Papers</i>, +vol. i. p. 197): “I hope you admired our little brush last night in the +presence of all the foreign grandees except the Emperor.”</p> + +<p>(The Opposition, knowing that the distinguished visitors were present, +moved a resolution concerning the marriage of Princess Charlotte to +the Hereditary Prince of Orange.).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_196" href="#FNanchor_196" class="label">[196]</a> [William, Prince of Orange (1792-1849), son of William I. of +Holland. He was educated in England by Dr. Howley, afterwards +Archbishop of Canterbury, and succeeded to the throne of Holland +after his father’s abdication in 1840. Huish, in his <i>Memoirs of +George IV.</i> (vol. ii. p. 184), gives the translation of a passage in a +German book, published at Leipsic, entitled, <i>The History of the Most +Extraordinary Events of the European Courts in the Years 1813-1815</i>. +This entirely bears out Lord Holland’s statement; though, conversely, +the book may be the source of his information. The Duchess of +Oldenburg is mentioned as having been specially sent over to intrigue +against the marriage.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_197" href="#FNanchor_197" class="label">[197]</a> [The bag containing the documents and papers representing the +case against Queen Caroline in 1820, which was laid on the table of +the House of Lords.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_198" href="#FNanchor_198" class="label">[198]</a> With whom that scheme originated I cannot positively say; but +the Duke and Duchess of York and Lord Anglesey had some hand in +promoting it.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_199" href="#FNanchor_199" class="label">[199]</a> Of Wales.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_200" href="#FNanchor_200" class="label">[200]</a> Lady Jersey gave me the copy of this letter.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_201" href="#FNanchor_201" class="label">[201]</a> [The usual scandal was raked up this year by the fact of two +Drawing-rooms taking place, which were held by the Queen in honour +of the Royal visitors. The Princess signified her intention of being +present, but received a notice from the Queen that it was impossible to +give her leave to do so, owing to the declaration of the Prince Regent +that he would not meet his wife on any occasion either public or +private.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_202" href="#FNanchor_202" class="label">[202]</a> [An interesting account of the Princess’s flight is given in <i>Leaves +from the Diary of Henry Greville</i>. His authority is Madame de +Flahault, who was actually at Warwick House at the time. The +Princess was much perturbed at the news of the Regent’s immediate +arrival, but the first intimation of her departure was ten minutes +later, when Madame de Flahault, while changing her gown, heard +a workman in the street exclaim, “Why, surely, that’s the Princess +running down the street.” The Regent, on his arrival, was furious at +her disappearance, and sent Madame de Flahault and the Bishop of +Salisbury in search of the fugitive. They found her at Connaught +Place; but her mother only arrived later from Blackheath, in response +to an urgent message from her daughter. Madame de Flahault +stated that the Princess’s return was mainly due to the advice of the +Duke of York.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_203" href="#FNanchor_203" class="label">[203]</a> [Published under the name of <i>Foreign Reminiscences</i>, by Henry +Edward, Lord Holland, in 1852.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_204" href="#FNanchor_204" class="label">[204]</a> [Termed <i>Miscellaneous Reminiscences</i>. <a href="#Page_307">See p. 307.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_205" href="#FNanchor_205" class="label">[205]</a> [General Charles Richard Fox, who married, in 1824, Lady Mary +FitzClarence, second daughter of William IV. and Mrs. Jordan.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_206" href="#FNanchor_206" class="label">[206]</a> How shortsighted are predictions! In three months or less after +writing this, I was invited by Lord Grey to a seat in the Cabinet, and +though, from considerations of health, I declined any more active +employment, I accepted the seals of the Duchy of Lancaster, an +office which brings me in constant and private intercourse with the +King, and which, under so direct and honourable a Prince as +William IV., is a pleasant and easy, as well as an honourable, +occupation.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_207" href="#FNanchor_207" class="label">[207]</a> [<a href="#Page_188">See <i>ante</i>, p. 188.</a> The statement, however, that Alexander would +have been otherwise unable to reach Paris seems an extreme view +of the case. The Allies had won their way to the capital by force of +arms, and whatever decision had been arrived at with regard to the +future government of France, they would have been obliged to occupy +the city. The failure of the Congress of Chatillon was primarily +due, not to the intrigues of the Bourbons, but to the unwillingness of +Napoleon to seize the opportunity of making peace.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_208" href="#FNanchor_208" class="label">[208]</a> [Fouché was made Minister of Police in 1800, and later Minister +of the Interior. By siding with all parties of the State as suited +the moment, he continued in power at intervals under both Empire +and Monarchy, until finally exiled as one of the instigators of the +death of Louis XVI.</p> + +<p>This advice from the Duke is corroborated by a letter published by +Sir Herbert Maxwell in his <i>Life of Wellington</i>, vol. ii. p. 100.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_209" href="#FNanchor_209" class="label">[209]</a> [Sir Herbert Maxwell relates that Louis noticed the rudeness of +Napoleon’s generals who had become Royalists, and mentioned it +to the Duke. His only answer was, “Sire, ils sont si accoutumés à +me tourner le dos, qu’ils n’en ont encore perdu l’habitude.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_210" href="#FNanchor_210" class="label">[210]</a> Lord Ossory, in his commonplace, recording the circumstances of +his death, thus characterises his neighbour:</p> + +<p>“July 6, 1815, was the melancholy termination of the active and +useful (in many respects) life of poor Whitbread. He was a most +indefatigable man, of eminent talents and many virtues. He had a +great irritability of temper, which at last, combined with a natural +fulness of blood in the head, produced the fatal catastrophe. Contradiction +made him become a vehement advocate for Bonaparte. +Bedfordshire used to be called Whitbreadshire, but I deny that he +ever governed or ruled me.”—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_211" href="#FNanchor_211" class="label">[211]</a> [Mr. Robinson’s bill permitting importation when wheat touched +80<i>s.</i> a quarter.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_212" href="#FNanchor_212" class="label">[212]</a> [Lord Grey’s motion was as follows: “To institute a further +inquiry relative to the state of the growth, commerce, and consumption +of grain, and the state of the laws relating thereto.” He was supported +by Lord Grenville and others; but the majority of the House was +opposed to the motion, which was defeated by 124 votes to 18.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_213" href="#FNanchor_213" class="label">[213]</a> [Concluded with foreign Powers, and dealing with the settlement +of France.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_214" href="#FNanchor_214" class="label">[214]</a> Many of them had been ceded by treaty to France, and either +some other article in that treaty or the peace itself which it established +had been in reason and public law an equivalent stipulation in favour +of the party who ceded them. They were resumed or rather taken +by force from the French, after a capitulation or treaty in which there +was no stipulation whatever for their restoration.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_215" href="#FNanchor_215" class="label">[215]</a> [It is only fair to the Duke to state that from other contemporary +records he seems to have endeavoured to restrain the Allies from +overdue harshness in their treatment of Paris. The preservation of +the <i>Pont de Jéna</i> from the destructive intentions of Blucher was +chiefly owing to his representations.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_216" href="#FNanchor_216" class="label">[216]</a> He indulged in vulgar abuse of those he had conquered and in +sundry other bad habits so much, when Ambassador in 1814, that the +punster at Paris called him, “My Lord <i>Vilain ton</i>.”—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_217" href="#FNanchor_217" class="label">[217]</a> [The Duke certainly had no high opinion of Lowe. Compare a +conversation of the Duke and Mr. Creevey on this subject, <i>Creevey +Papers</i>, vol. i. 289.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_218" href="#FNanchor_218" class="label">[218]</a> At least, so the Black Prince and the English termed him. The +French did not, nor did they so consider Napoleon, whom they had +chosen Consul and Emperor.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_219" href="#FNanchor_219" class="label">[219]</a> [Lord Holland says in his <i>Foreign Reminiscences</i> (p. 194) +that this question was actually discussed at the Congress of Vienna. +He mentions that his authority was an Englishman of veracity, +employed at the Congress, who told it him before the Battle of +Waterloo.</p> + +<p>Talleyrand must certainly have raised the point at the Congress, +as his instructions were to make strenuous efforts to obtain the +removal of Napoleon from an island in such close proximity to +the shores of France. The Azores or St. Helena were considered more +suitable for insuring the safety of Europe.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_220" href="#FNanchor_220" class="label">[220]</a> [Count Auguste Charles Joseph Flahault, Napoleon’s aide-de-camp +in the Russian campaign and at the battle of Waterloo. His +name was removed by the influence of Talleyrand from the list of +proscriptions, but he remained in England some years, and married +Margaret, Baroness Keith and Nairne. He became French Ambassador +in London in 1860, and died ten years later.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_221" href="#FNanchor_221" class="label">[221]</a> I erase <i>without my knowledge</i>, for the words convey more than +I mean and more than is strictly true. His Royal Highness did, +after reproaching me for not showing him the protest before I had +entered it, ask me if, consistently with the orders and usages of the +House, he could sign it on the third reading. I, of course, told him +that he could refer in a dissentient to the reasons of a protest on the +same subject on the journals, and he took that course.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_222" href="#FNanchor_222" class="label">[222]</a> [It is interesting to find that Lady Holland writes to Mrs. Creevey +on January 1, 1816: “There is a strong feeling getting up in the +country at our permitting the Capitulation to be broken, altho’ none are +sorry Ney suffered.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_223" href="#FNanchor_223" class="label">[223]</a> [Printed in the <i>Annual Register</i> for 1816. State Papers, p. 378.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_224" href="#FNanchor_224" class="label">[224]</a> [Charles, eighth Lord Kinnaird, born in 1780; died in 1826. He +married, in 1806, Lady Olivia Fitzgerald, daughter of the second +Duke of Leinster, and Lord Holland’s cousin.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_225" href="#FNanchor_225" class="label">[225]</a> [Antoine Marie, Count de La Valette (1769-1833), aide-de-camp +of Napoleon. He was condemned to death, but escaped to England, +with the help of his wife assisted by Sir Robert Wilson and two +other Englishmen.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_226" href="#FNanchor_226" class="label">[226]</a> [Neither Ney nor Labedoyère were present in Paris when the +Capitulation was signed.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_227" href="#FNanchor_227" class="label">[227]</a> [Afterwards second Earl of Donoughmore. Commander-in-Chief +in Egypt, 1801.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_228" href="#FNanchor_228" class="label">[228]</a> Underlined in the above copy.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_229" href="#FNanchor_229" class="label">[229]</a> [Miguel Ricardo d’Alava (1771-1843), a Spanish general who +obtained considerable distinction under Wellington. He was for +some years Spanish representative in Paris.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_230" href="#FNanchor_230" class="label">[230]</a> I once asked an East Indian, who knew the details of the transaction, +if his brother, Lord Wellesley, had not raised him from the +ground. “The ground?” replied he, “the mire, the filth. He was +lost but for Wellesley.” The phrase was no doubt too strong, but +there must have been great favour shown to give a colour to such +expressions. Subsequent differences between the brothers may and +have occurred, and the conduct of the elder has probably been +offensive and almost intolerable to the younger; but can it have +entirely cancelled such obligations, or justify the neglect with which +he has occasionally been treated? The Duke had resumed intimate +and even cordial habits with him when out of office, but on his +appointment to the Premiership he dropped them entirely.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_231" href="#FNanchor_231" class="label">[231]</a> I have been told of this unamiable trait in his character by +officers who have served under him. His unpopularity with corps +that he has commanded, and especially the Engineers and Artillery, +seems to confirm it.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_232" href="#FNanchor_232" class="label">[232]</a> At the beginning of the French Revolution Castlereagh was a +reformer and even propagandist; he disseminated Payne’s pamphlet +in the North of Ireland.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_233" href="#FNanchor_233" class="label">[233]</a> [The income tax imposed “for and during the continuance of the +war, and no longer.” The Government was defeated by a majority of +37, and the tax repealed.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_234" href="#FNanchor_234" class="label">[234]</a> [<a href="#Page_45">See <i>ante</i>, p. 45.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_235" href="#FNanchor_235" class="label">[235]</a> [Canning was living in Lisbon at the time for the benefit of his +son’s health. Lord Liverpool, learning he was on the spot, pressed him +to take the post of Ambassador Extraordinary, and his offer was +accepted.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_236" href="#FNanchor_236" class="label">[236]</a> I think I have since heard that £7,000 or £9,000 would have +covered all those that could be legally substantiated.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Mr. Rae, in his <i>Biography</i>, puts the figure at £5,000, and states +that the whole sum was paid by Sheridan’s relations.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_237" href="#FNanchor_237" class="label">[237]</a> [Thomas Sheridan (1719-1788).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_238" href="#FNanchor_238" class="label">[238]</a> Her maiden name was Chamberlayne.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_239" href="#FNanchor_239" class="label">[239]</a> He assured me, at the same time, that his treatment had created +in his mind such an aversion for the stage, that he had never even seen +a play when he wrote <i>The Duenna</i>; that he engaged in that work +from absolute indigence; and that, throughout his life, he had never +seen a representation from beginning to end, except of his own pieces +at rehearsals. I did not think it worth while to repeat these incredible, +or at least exaggerated, stories in the text.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_240" href="#FNanchor_240" class="label">[240]</a> [Samuel Parr (1747-1825), classical scholar, and master at Harrow +School. Several letters written by him describing young Sheridan’s +promise and ability have been published by Moore.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_241" href="#FNanchor_241" class="label">[241]</a> Mr. Sheridan has more than once observed to me, with great +apparent sincerity and warm commendation, the astonishing resources +of Mr. Fox’s mind, and the no less astonishing generosity with which +he would frankly impart his thoughts and materials to any speaker +of his side. “He seemed,” said Sheridan, “to exhaust the subject +he spoke upon; yet when he sat down he could, and often did, +supply those who came after him with fresh and excellent matter +nearly equal to what he had used, and quite new to the person +about to speak; and, again, from those whose turn in debate came +before him, he never concealed any thought, but on the contrary would +communicate to them most readily the best argument and even the +liveliest illustration that occurred to him in favour of his view of the +question.”—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_242" href="#FNanchor_242" class="label">[242]</a> [William Howley (1766-1848), appointed Bishop of London in +1813, and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1828.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_243" href="#FNanchor_243" class="label">[243]</a> [Sir Gilbert Elliot (Lord Minto) writes to Lady Elliot of this speech: +“It was by many degrees the most excellent and astonishing +performance I ever heard, and surpasses all I ever imagined possible +in eloquence and ability.” (<i>Life and Letters of Sir G. Elliot</i>, vol. i. +p. 123).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_244" href="#FNanchor_244" class="label">[244]</a> [See <i>Memoirs of the Whig Party</i>, vol. i. p. 34, where many curious +and interesting anecdotes of him are related.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_245" href="#FNanchor_245" class="label">[245]</a> [Lord Stanhope left practically the whole of his disposable +property to his executors. The estates devolved on his son and +heir. The rest of the family, however, obtained nothing under the +will, on account of their conduct at the period of Lord Stanhope’s +separation from Mr. Pitt, except such sums as they were entitled +to by marriage settlements.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_246" href="#FNanchor_246" class="label">[246]</a> [Major John Cartwright (1740-1824), the descendant of an old +Northamptonshire family. He served in the Navy and Militia, and +became an ardent reformer and political pamphleteer.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_247" href="#FNanchor_247" class="label">[247]</a> [William Cobbett (1762-1835), political writer and originator of +the <i>Weekly Political Register</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_248" href="#FNanchor_248" class="label">[248]</a> [Henry Hunt (1773-1835), reformer and orator. Originally a +successful farmer in Wiltshire.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_249" href="#FNanchor_249" class="label">[249]</a> “Valentine Day,” and “Post office at Maidstone.”—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_250" href="#FNanchor_250" class="label">[250]</a> [The scene here referred to took place during a discussion of the +Alien Bill on December 28, 1792. Burke, who had quarrelled with Fox +over the French Revolution, mentioned that an order had been given +at Birmingham for 3,000 daggers, and, hurling one suddenly on to +the floor of the House, exclaimed, “This is what you are to gain by +an alliance with France.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_251" href="#FNanchor_251" class="label">[251]</a> [Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860), son of Archibald, ninth Earl of +Dundonald, on whose death he succeeded to the titles in 1831.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_252" href="#FNanchor_252" class="label">[252]</a> [The Habeas Corpus Act was suspended during the greater +part of the year 1817.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_253" href="#FNanchor_253" class="label">[253]</a> I transcribe this book in 1838, and this clause is added to my +sentiment: Burdett’s defection and recurrence to High Tory principles +being in 1837.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_254" href="#FNanchor_254" class="label">[254]</a> [William, fourth Earl Fitzwilliam (1748-1833), Lord-Lieutenant +of Ireland, 1794-1795.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_255" href="#FNanchor_255" class="label">[255]</a> [The secret Committee appointed to inquire into the cases which +had occurred of meetings alleged to be dangerous to the public +tranquillity.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_256" href="#FNanchor_256" class="label">[256]</a> [Horner was only thirty-eight years old when he died.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_257" href="#FNanchor_257" class="label">[257]</a> [The book here referred to by Lord Holland was said to be by +Santini—Napoleon’s gamekeeper, haircutter, and tailor. It is in reality +a fabrication, and “was written by Colonel Maceroni, an Anglo-Italian +follower of Murat’s, who has left some readable memoirs.” (Lord +Rosebery’s <i>The Last Phase</i>).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_258" href="#FNanchor_258" class="label">[258]</a> [Secretary of State for War and the Colonies.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_259" href="#FNanchor_259" class="label">[259]</a> Mr. Brougham was particularly averse to meddling with a matter +he deemed so unpalatable to the Court and the country.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_260" href="#FNanchor_260" class="label">[260]</a> [Hugh Fortescue, afterwards second Earl Fortescue (1783-1861).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_261" href="#FNanchor_261" class="label">[261]</a> [James Abercromby, afterwards created Lord Dunfermline (1776-1858). +Speaker of the House of Commons, 1835-1839.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_262" href="#FNanchor_262" class="label">[262]</a> [Alexander Baring (1774-1848), created Lord Ashburton in 1835.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_263" href="#FNanchor_263" class="label">[263]</a> [Carlo Andrea (1764-1842), a Corsican, born at “Pozzo di Borgo,” +near Ajaccio, whence he took his name. He entered the Russian +service after the final capture of Corsica by the French, and was +Russian Ambassador in Paris from 1815 to 1834, when he was transferred +to London.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_264" href="#FNanchor_264" class="label">[264]</a> [William Hone (1780-1843), writer and bookseller. The work +was written satirically against the Government, and parodied the +Church Catechism, Litany, and Athanasian Creed. He was brought +to trial, but was acquitted on all counts; and was afterwards presented +with the sum of £3,000, raised by public subscription.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_265" href="#FNanchor_265" class="label">[265]</a> [Thomas Philip, third Lord Grantham (1781-1859), who succeeded +his maternal aunt in 1833 as Earl de Grey.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_266" href="#FNanchor_266" class="label">[266]</a> [In Bedfordshire. The estate was sold at Lady Holland’s death +in 1845, and passed into the hands of the Duke of Bedford.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_267" href="#FNanchor_267" class="label">[267]</a> [A Bill brought forward to indemnify various persons for apprehending +and restraining those who had taken part in the late +treasonable practices and unlawful assemblies.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_268" href="#FNanchor_268" class="label">[268]</a> [The suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_269" href="#FNanchor_269" class="label">[269]</a> [Philip Henry, fourth Earl of Stanhope (1781-1855).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_270" href="#FNanchor_270" class="label">[270]</a> [The Act in question was one passed by the Scotch Parliament +in 1695. It contained a clause, which constituted as naturalised subjects +of Scotland any foreigners who held shares in the Bank of Scotland; +and these were naturalised as English subjects by the terms of the +Act of Union. The <i>ex post facto</i> clause seems to have been moved in +the House of Lords by the Lord Chancellor, and not by Lord Melville, +as stated by Lord Holland.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_271" href="#FNanchor_271" class="label">[271]</a> [Pierre Étienne Louis Dumont (1759-1829), Swiss author and +tutor to the third Lord Lansdowne.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_272" href="#FNanchor_272" class="label">[272]</a> In Sir Samuel’s MS. Memoir the following passage occurs: “Our +family had been increased and enlivened by two female cousins, +the children of my Uncle Isaac, who had been left orphans by the +<i>premature</i> and almost <i>sudden death</i> of <i>both</i> their parents <i>within a few +days of each other</i>.”—V.H.</p> + +<p>[No evidence can be found to support Lord Holland’s statement that +Sir Samuel’s uncle also committed suicide.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_273" href="#FNanchor_273" class="label">[273]</a> It has been published in this year, 1840, and edited with great +judgment and taste by his children. The picture of so pure a mind +or, as Lord Jeffreys happily expresses it, such serious sweetness in +a first-rate man, delights everybody.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_274" href="#FNanchor_274" class="label">[274]</a> [Mr. Ponsonby, who had led the party since 1808, died in 1817. +Creevey certainly thought little of Tierney’s chances of success, and +wrote that his life had been in “direct opposition to all Whig +principles.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_275" href="#FNanchor_275" class="label">[275]</a> [William Philip, second Earl of Sefton (1772-1838), who succeeded +to the title on his father’s death in 1795.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_276" href="#FNanchor_276" class="label">[276]</a> [John Charles, Viscount Althorp (1782-1845); Chancellor of the +Exchequer, 1830-1834. He became third Earl Spencer in 1834.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_277" href="#FNanchor_277" class="label">[277]</a> Mr. Fox, whose fearless and generous nature abhorred all refinement +and suspicion, always undervalued Mr. Tierney’s sagacity, and +felt less confidence than he ought to have done in his professions and +principles.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_278" href="#FNanchor_278" class="label">[278]</a> [The residence of the Duke of Portland.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_279" href="#FNanchor_279" class="label">[279]</a> [Afterwards created Earl of Durham.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_280" href="#FNanchor_280" class="label">[280]</a> [The meeting was held at Smithfield.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_281" href="#FNanchor_281" class="label">[281]</a> [This must be a mistake. The number of people present was +probably about 80,000. From twenty to thirty persons were wounded +by sabre cuts, but the majority of the injuries were received by those +who were trying to escape from the danger, real or imaginary.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_282" href="#FNanchor_282" class="label">[282]</a> [Edward Stanley (1779-1849), Bishop of Norwich (1837), and +father of Arthur Stanley, Dean of Westminster.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_283" href="#FNanchor_283" class="label">[283]</a> [January 12, 1834.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_284" href="#FNanchor_284" class="label">[284]</a> [The Duke of Kent was Commander-in-Chief in British North +America, 1799-1800, and Governor of Gibraltar, 1802-1803. His +death was caused by a sudden chill.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_285" href="#FNanchor_285" class="label">[285]</a> [Known as the Cato Street Conspiracy. The delinquents made +preparations to murder the whole of the Ministers on February 23, +when they had arranged to dine together at Lord Harrowby’s house +in Grosvenor Square. The plot was, however, divulged before the day, +and the conspirators were arrested by the police and military when +on the point of setting out to achieve their fell purpose.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_286" href="#FNanchor_286" class="label">[286]</a> [He died on January 29.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_287" href="#FNanchor_287" class="label">[287]</a> [She was not to assume at any time the rank and title of Queen +of England.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_288" href="#FNanchor_288" class="label">[288]</a> This was not an unusual practice with him; and as it was not only +in speeches, but in correspondence, paragraphs, and pamphlets that +he resorted to such contrivances, he was for such an effusion of ink not +inaptly compared to the ink fish, who, to elude its pursuers, environs +itself in clouds, or rather floods, of that dark and liquid composition.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_289" href="#FNanchor_289" class="label">[289]</a> [Early in April Lord Liverpool made the same proposition to +Brougham as is mentioned on the last page, but raising her annual +allowance from £35,000 to £50,000. This proposal, however, does +not seem to have been communicated to the Queen, nor did she hear +of it until it was communicated by Lord Hutchinson, on June 3, at +Saint Omer, when on her way to England. She then entirely refused +to consider the matter, and, continuing her journey, arrived in London +on June 7. Negotiations were at once opened to persuade her to +leave the country; but popular opinion was on her side, and she +remained. Early in July Lord Liverpool brought in a bill in the +House of Lords to deprive her of her prerogatives as Queen of +England and to dissolve her marriage, but, finding it injudicious to +persevere, dropped the whole affair in November.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_290" href="#FNanchor_290" class="label">[290]</a> [Garter King-of-Arms.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_291" href="#FNanchor_291" class="label">[291]</a> [This Constitution was drawn up by the Spanish Cortes, in session +at Cadiz in 1810-1812. Its aim and object was to limit the power of +the Crown, and the deputies by their action showed their determination, +without any actual disloyalty to the House of Bourbon, to strictly limit +Ferdinand’s power whenever he was successful in regaining the throne. +On his return to Spain in 1814, Ferdinand’s first act as King was to dissolve +the Cortes and abrogate the Constitution, promising another in its +stead. The promise, however, was never carried out, and, with all the +old Royalist abuses springing up on every side, a veritable reign of terror +ensued. In 1820 the standard of revolt was raised in Cadiz, and the +movement spread throughout the country. The King at once gave way +and restored the Constitution in its original form.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_292" href="#FNanchor_292" class="label">[292]</a> [On the occasion of the “Massacre of Peterloo.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_293" href="#FNanchor_293" class="label">[293]</a> [A bill to disfranchise the borough of Grampound, on account of +the gross corruption which had there taken place.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_294" href="#FNanchor_294" class="label">[294]</a> [John Pike Jones (1790-1857). He obtained the living of Alton, +Staffordshire, in the gift of Lord Shrewsbury.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_295" href="#FNanchor_295" class="label">[295]</a> [Hon. Shute Barrington (d. 1826).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_296" href="#FNanchor_296" class="label">[296]</a> [Sir Matthew Wood (1768-1843), son of a serge-maker in Tiverton. +Lord Mayor of London, 1815-16, and 1816-17. He was one of +those who rendered pecuniary assistance to the Duke and Duchess +of Kent and was made a Baronet by Queen Victoria soon after +her accession.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_297" href="#FNanchor_297" class="label">[297]</a> [“By this Act, none of the descendants of George II., unless of +foreign birth, can marry under the age of twenty-five, without the +consent of the King; at and after that age, after twelve months’ notice +given to the Privy Council, they may contract such marriage, which +shall be good unless both Houses of Parliament shall disapprove.” +(Hadyn’s <i>Dictionary of Dates</i>).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_298" href="#FNanchor_298" class="label">[298]</a> [Sir John Leach (1760-1834), appointed Vice-Chancellor of +England, 1818, and Master of the Rolls, 1827.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_299" href="#FNanchor_299" class="label">[299]</a> See his <i>Letter to a Constituent</i>, p. 537 of Chronicle, in <i>Annual +Register</i>, 1820.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_300" href="#FNanchor_300" class="label">[300]</a> [Charles Greville says: “The military in London have shown +alarming symptoms of dissatisfaction, so much so that it seems doubtful +how far the Guards can be counted upon in case of any disturbance +arising out of this subject.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_301" href="#FNanchor_301" class="label">[301]</a> An account of my conversations with Sir John Leach in June, 1820, +may be found in a letter from me to Lord Grey, dated Holland House +June 12, 1820, and a copy of it should be kept among the <i>Pièces +Justificatives</i> of this work.—V.H. [<a href="#APPENDIX_C">See Appendix C.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_302" href="#FNanchor_302" class="label">[302]</a> [Charles Greville (<i>Reign of George IV.</i>, vol. i. p. 43) says: +“<i>February 7.</i>—The King went to the play last night (Drury Lane) +for the first time, the Dukes of York and Clarence and a great suite +with him. He was received with immense acclamations, the whole +pit standing up, hurrahing, and waving their hats.... A few people +called out ‘the Queen,’ but very few.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_303" href="#FNanchor_303" class="label">[303]</a> [Sir Arthur Pigott (1752-1819), Attorney-General, 1806-1807. +He died on September 6, 1819.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_304" href="#FNanchor_304" class="label">[304]</a> The <i>tibia</i> in Negroes is said to be slight and slender; and the +<i>os calcis</i> long.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_305" href="#FNanchor_305" class="label">[305]</a> [Those of Hardy, Horne Tooke, Stone, and others, for conspiracy +to raise a rebellion.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_306" href="#FNanchor_306" class="label">[306]</a> [A prospective and retrospective clause to prevent the annulling +of marriages on slight informalities previous to the solemnisation. +(<i>Annual Register</i>, 1820).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_307" href="#FNanchor_307" class="label">[307]</a> [The Revolution at Naples, fostered by the secret society of the +<i>Carbonari</i>, attained its object without serious difficulty. King Ferdinand, +who had been restored in 1815, accepted the Constitution +as proposed to him, though in a letter to the Emperor of Austria he +protested that he had done so under constraint.</p> + +<p>The Portuguese Royal Family were still in the Brazils; and the +rising planned to obtain an amendment of the Constitution took place +at Oporto in 1820. It is worthy of note that Marshal Beresford and +the other English officers who had assisted the Portuguese against the +French were sent out of the country.</p> + +<p>The Treaty of the Holy Alliance had been concluded during the +negotiations for the second Treaty of Paris in 1815, at the instance +of the Czar of Russia. The other signatories were the +Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia, their object being to +maintain the peace of Europe by a system of collective diplomatic +pressure and intervention. Great Britain had refused to become a +party to the Treaty, as her representatives, though cordially concurring +in the desirability of these views, considered them visionary and +impracticable.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_308" href="#FNanchor_308" class="label">[308]</a> Chronicle, <i>Annual Register</i> of 1820, p. 537.—V.H. [Also <a href="#Page_286">see +<i>ante</i>, p. 286</a>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_309" href="#FNanchor_309" class="label">[309]</a> [The <i>New Monthly Magazine</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_310" href="#FNanchor_310" class="label">[310]</a> [The first meeting of the three great Powers composing the Holy +Alliance took place at Troppau in October, 1820. The sovereigns +circulated a manifesto to the great European Powers stating their +views on intervention, and invited the King of Naples to meet them +at Laybach. The Congress was held in January, 1821, and Lord +Stewart, the British Ambassador at Vienna, represented Great Britain. +King Ferdinand, whose absence from Naples was only permitted on +condition that he renewed his oath to preserve the Constitution, +renounced all his engagements on his arrival at Laybach. The Congress +decided to restore the King by means of an Austrian army, and +successfully carried out their design. Great Britain and France remained +neutral on this occasion, but issued no protest against the +action of the Powers.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_311" href="#FNanchor_311" class="label">[311]</a> [Charles William, third Marquess of Londonderry (1778-1854), +half-brother of Lord Castlereagh. No mention is made by Sir +Archibald Alison of his absence from Laybach.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_312" href="#FNanchor_312" class="label">[312]</a> [Sir Robert Gordon (1791-1847), diplomatist, son of George, +Lord Haddo, and brother of George Hamilton, fourth Earl of +Aberdeen.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_313" href="#FNanchor_313" class="label">[313]</a> [The Russian Ambassador in England.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_314" href="#FNanchor_314" class="label">[314]</a> [<i>Foreign Reminiscences.</i>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_315" href="#FNanchor_315" class="label">[315]</a> [Lord Holland published in 1822 Horace Walpole’s <i>Memoirs of +the Last Ten Years of the Reign of George II.</i>, and prepared his +<i>Memoirs of the First Ten Years of George III.</i> This latter work was +published after his death by Sir Denis Le Marchant in 1845.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_316" href="#FNanchor_316" class="label">[316]</a> The elder brother of that famous wit, courtier, and infidel, who +is satirised by Pope under the names of Sporus and Lord Fanny, who +fought a duel with Pulteney, corresponded with Mr. Middleton about +the Roman Senate, was a favourite of Queen Caroline, and died +1749.—V.H. [He died in 1743.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_317" href="#FNanchor_317" class="label">[317]</a> [An Etonian publication, which was first brought out in 1786. The +chief contributors were Bobus Smith, Canning, and Hookham Frere. +<a href="#Page_314">See p. 314.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_318" href="#FNanchor_318" class="label">[318]</a> [Joseph Goodall (1760-1840): Assistant Master at Eton, 1783; +Headmaster, 1801; and Provost, 1809.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_319" href="#FNanchor_319" class="label">[319]</a> [William Hayward Roberts, D.D; appointed Provost of Eton in +1781, and died in 1791.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_320" href="#FNanchor_320" class="label">[320]</a> For a long time Resident Senior Fellow of King’s College. He +had taken an active part in the Chatterton controversy, and maintained +to the last the authenticity of the poems. I knew nothing of him but +his appearance. That was not prepossessing. He had the reputation +of a saturnine and sarcastic wit, but was known by his intimates +to conceal a very warm heart under that rugged exterior. He it was +who said of Porson, that it was “a pity so much wit should be in a +fool’s keeping.” Mr. Smith (Bobus) related an incident which occurred +when he was sitting with him in his study at King’s, and which, as +it illustrates his whimsical character and at the same time redounds +to his credit, may be worth repeating. They heard a strange noise +and clacking on the staircase, which, when followed by a knock at the +door, greatly discomposed the morose old bachelor. However, he +exclaimed with a resolute voice, “Come in,” and an ill-dressed old +country-woman, with a magpie on her wrist, made her appearance. +Glynn, it seemed, from charity had frequently, and ultimately with +success, visited her sick daughter gratis at a distance from Cambridge, +and the grateful old goody had trudged over from the fens with the +only remuneration her slender means could supply, <i>viz.</i>, “her favourite +magpie.” The studious Doctor was appalled at the prospect of so +troublesome an inmate, and yet unwilling to mortify the kind feelings +that had brought him. So, after sundry gesticulations and grotesque +exclamations of “Pretty Meg,” “Charming bird indeed,” he archly and +good-humouredly said, “Thank ye, Dame, thank ye from the bottom +of my heart. I like the bird vastly; I enjoy the present exceedingly. +And now I’ll tell you what you shall do; you shall board it for me +at half a crown a week, for I know you will take care of it, and mind +you do: but I should be called out to my patients and neglect +it.”—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Robert Glynn (1719-1800), physician. He was a firm believer in +the authenticity of the <i>Rowley Poems</i>, and bequeathed the originals, at +his death, to the British Museum. These poems are now undisputably +known to be the work of Thomas Chatterton, the youthful genius +who poisoned himself at the early age of eighteen in despair at his +poverty and the ill success of his forged essays and verses.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_321" href="#FNanchor_321" class="label">[321]</a> William Barford, D.D. (d. 1792)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_322" href="#FNanchor_322" class="label">[322]</a> Dr. George, however, seems to have been an elegant scholar, and +a good writer of Greek and Latin verse. Some of the best specimens +in the <i>Musa Anglicana</i> and <i>Musæ Etonenses</i> are, if I recollect right, +of his composition. In one addressed to the Prince of Wales,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Tu destinatus imperare liberis</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Parere primum,</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">are lines happily imitated from the Greek adage,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">οὐκ ἔστιν ἄρχειν, μὴ ἀρχθέντα:</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">a maxim Dryden might have introduced in a tragedy and rhymed thus,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“Stoop then to rise; Ambition’s sons, they say,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Are taught to rule by learning to obey.”—V.H.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>[William George, D.D., Headmaster of Eton; and Provost of King’s +College, Cambridge, in 1743. He died in 1756. His wife was Miss +Bland, daughter of his predecessor at Eton.</p> + +<p>Lord Holland’s quotation is obscure, and is, besides, scarcely legible. +It is suggested that ἄρχε πρῶτον μυθὼν ἄρχεσθαι was the line which he had +in mind.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_323" href="#FNanchor_323" class="label">[323]</a> [Lord Henry Spencer (1770-1795), second son of George, fourth +Duke of Marlborough, and Lady Caroline Russell, daughter of John, +fourth Duke of Bedford.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_324" href="#FNanchor_324" class="label">[324]</a> He died, Deputy-Paymaster of the Navy, in 1827.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_325" href="#FNanchor_325" class="label">[325]</a> [Robert Percy Smith (1770-1845), eldest son of Robert Smith, a +London merchant, and Maria Olier, the daughter of a French refugee. +He married in 1797, Caroline, daughter of Richard Vernon and Evelyn, +first Countess of Upper Ossory. Their son, Robert Vernon Smith, +was created Lord Lyveden. Lord Holland’s mother, Lady Mary +Fitzpatrick, was a daughter of Lady Upper Ossory by her first +marriage.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_326" href="#FNanchor_326" class="label">[326]</a> Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Greeks in insurrection when this +was written in 1826.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_327" href="#FNanchor_327" class="label">[327]</a> [William Robertson (1721-1793), Principal of Edinburgh University +until 1792.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_328" href="#FNanchor_328" class="label">[328]</a> [Hon. Henry Erskine (1746-1817), second son of Henry David, +tenth Earl of Buchan. Lord Advocate in 1783 and 1806. +Second brother to Lord Buchan and elder brother of Lord Erskine, +whom he greatly resembled, and nearly equalled both in his genius and +his foibles. He was almost as vain; in vivacity of parts, suavity of +manners, and playfulness of fancy fully equal to him; and in forensic +talents and eloquence, though inferior, very like him.—V.H.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_329" href="#FNanchor_329" class="label">[329]</a> [Thomas Warton, the younger (1728-1790). Poet Laureate from +1785. He wrote <i>A History of English Poetry to the End of the +Sixteenth Century</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_330" href="#FNanchor_330" class="label">[330]</a> [Henry Kett (1761-1825). Appointed a fellow of Trinity College +in 1784. He drowned himself in a fit of depression, to which he was +subject.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_331" href="#FNanchor_331" class="label">[331]</a> [William Crowe (1745-1829), poet and divine. Son of a Winchester +carpenter.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_332" href="#FNanchor_332" class="label">[332]</a> [As Chancellor of Oxford University.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_333" href="#FNanchor_333" class="label">[333]</a> [John Sibthorp (1758-1796).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_334" href="#FNanchor_334" class="label">[334]</a> [Cyril Jackson (1746-1819), Dean of Christ Church, 1783-1809. +He declined preferment to a bishopric, which was on several occasions +offered to him.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_335" href="#FNanchor_335" class="label">[335]</a> [William Jackson (1751-1815), Bishop of Oxford, 1812-1815.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_336" href="#FNanchor_336" class="label">[336]</a> [Thomas Beddoes (1760-1808), physician. He resigned his post +of Reader in Chemistry at Oxford in 1792, partly owing to his sympathy +with the French Revolution.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_337" href="#FNanchor_337" class="label">[337]</a> He published a pamphlet with his name, in which he denominated +tithes, and I believe the Church establishment, a remnant of Popery; +and he did not conceal his earnest wishes and expectations of seeing +them suppressed.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_338" href="#FNanchor_338" class="label">[338]</a> [John Ingenhousz (1730-1799), physician. Born at Breda, and +came to England about 1765. He was an intimate friend of the first +Marquess of Lansdown, and died while on a visit to Bowood.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_339" href="#FNanchor_339" class="label">[339]</a> [The first Lord Lansdown always signed his name without a +terminal <i>e</i>, the spelling adopted by his successors.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_340" href="#FNanchor_340" class="label">[340]</a> [Samuel Parr (1747-1825), son of a Harrow apothecary, and a +master at the school. He left there in 1771, from pique because the +governors refused to appoint him headmaster, in succession to Dr. +Sumner. He set up for himself, and afterwards took the living of +Hatton in Warwickshire, and kept private pupils. Many of his letters +are preserved at Holland House.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_341" href="#FNanchor_341" class="label">[341]</a> [Martin Joseph Routh (1755-1854), President of Magdalen College +from 1791 until his death.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_342" href="#FNanchor_342" class="label">[342]</a> Dr. Parr was well aware of the characteristic caution of the head +of our college, and of the college itself. “When I leave my card +at the Deanery,” said he, “I shall write on it,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua”;</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">and, speaking of the whole society, he often said, “Litus amant.” It +must be owned that the fate of the little <i>Phalaris</i>* bark, which they +launched at the close of the preceding century, was enough to deter +them from a second venture. It was prudent to lay up their great +vessels if they had any in ordinary.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[* <i>The Epistles of Phalaris</i>, said to have been written by Phalaris, tyrant +of Agrigentum in Sicily. The scholars of Christ Church determined at +the end of the seventeenth century to publish a new edition of these letters, +upholding their genuineness, and entrusted the task to Charles Boyle, +afterwards fourth Earl of Orrery. His work was attacked by Richard +Bentley, who proved conclusively the weakness of the case.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_343" href="#FNanchor_343" class="label">[343]</a> [Joseph White (1745-1814), theologian and orientalist; Laudian +Professor of Arabic, 1775-1814.</p> + +<p>He tried to obtain the return of his letters, after Samuel Badcock’s +death, from the latter’s sister. This request was refused, and the +matter obtained publicity from the unwillingness of White to meet +a bond for £500 found among the papers.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_344" href="#FNanchor_344" class="label">[344]</a> Of his <i>simplicity</i>, especially in money matters, many ludicrous +and even incredible stories were recounted.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_345" href="#FNanchor_345" class="label">[345]</a> Canonry of Christ Church and Hebrew Professorship.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_346" href="#FNanchor_346" class="label">[346]</a> I am not sure that he did so much in virtue of his office of +beadle; by profession the man was a barber.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_347" href="#FNanchor_347" class="label">[347]</a> [A Latin preface to a new edition of three treatises by William +Bellenden (d. 1633), into which he infused a political current, by +dedicating it to the <i>tria lumina Anglorum</i>—Burke, Fox, and North, +and by denouncing the leading men of the other party.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_348" href="#FNanchor_348" class="label">[348]</a> [Richard Porson (1759-1808). Born of humble parents, his marvellous +memory as a child attracted early notice, and he was sent to +Eton on the Foundation. A fund was specially raised to maintain him +at Cambridge, where he was entered at Trinity College. He was +elected Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge in 1792.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_349" href="#FNanchor_349" class="label">[349]</a> The King of Clubs, instituted by some lawyers and men of letters. +Among its founders were Mr. Robert Percy Smith, Sir Samuel Romilly, +Mr. Rogers, Mr. Dumont, Mr. Sharp,* and Mr. Whishaw.† It lasted +near twenty years, but expired soon after the death of Sir Samuel +Romilly, who was more constant in his attendance than Mr. Sydney +Smith, Mr. Brougham, and other persons of eminence who had been +chosen members thereof.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[The club was first instituted about the year 1801.]</p> + +<p>[* Richard Sharp (1759-1835), known as “Conversation Sharp.”]</p> + +<p>[† John Whishaw, Secretary to the African Association.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_350" href="#FNanchor_350" class="label">[350]</a> I do not insert it, for in all probability it has been or will be +printed elsewhere.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Porson, who had been elected a fellow of Trinity, was obliged by +the statutes to resign his fellowship within seven years unless he had +taken orders. This he was unwilling to do, and when he applied to +Dr. Postlethwaite, the Master of Trinity, for one of the lay fellowships +which would enable him to remain a fellow, his request was refused. +On the Greek Professorship becoming vacant in 1792, Dr. Postlethwaite +wrote urging Porson to become a candidate. The latter, thinking he +would be obliged to sign the Thirty-nine Articles, at first refused, but +on finding out his mistake, came forward, and was unanimously elected. +One of the passages in the letter referred to by Lord Holland is: +“The same reason which hindered me from keeping my fellowship +by the method you obligingly pointed out, would, I am afraid, prevent +me from being Greek Professor.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_351" href="#FNanchor_351" class="label">[351]</a> His birth and family were very humble indeed. Mr. Rogers, who +is so uniformly accurate that one can quote his conversation as +testimony to a fact, says he is pretty confident that his father was a +sexton or gravedigger in one of the Eastern counties in England.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[His father, a worsted weaver by trade, was parish clerk at East +Ruston, near North Walsham, Norfolk.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_352" href="#FNanchor_352" class="label">[352]</a> [These “letters” were the result of Porson’s researches in divinity +at the period when he was seeking to make up his mind about taking +holy orders. George Travis (1741-1797), Archdeacon of Chester, in +his <i>Letter to Gibbon</i>, had upheld the genuineness of the text, 1 St. +John v. 7; but his conclusions were ruthlessly pulled to pieces by +Porson’s superior reasoning.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_353" href="#FNanchor_353" class="label">[353]</a> If one added to the list such names as Hooker, Newton, Locke, +Tillotson, Middleton, Paley, and Low, one should not perhaps vary +materially from the judgment formed of those writers’ opinions by +the respective champions of the two doctrines; though, in direct words, +none of them have avowed, and some have distinctly denied, all doubts +of the Trinity. They are not, however, such Trinitarians as exclude +Arians or even Socinians from the pale of Christianity.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_354" href="#FNanchor_354" class="label">[354]</a> [Thomas, seventh Earl of Elgin (1766-1841), Ambassador to the +Porte from 1799 to 1803, and collector of the “Elgin Marbles,” now +in the British Museum.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_355" href="#FNanchor_355" class="label">[355]</a> [Joseph Dacre Carlyle (1759-1804), chaplain to the mission.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_356" href="#FNanchor_356" class="label">[356]</a> [Richard Wooddeson, the younger (1745-1822); fellow of Magdalen +College and Vinerian Professor, 1777-1793.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_357" href="#FNanchor_357" class="label">[357]</a> [Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_358" href="#FNanchor_358" class="label">[358]</a> [Thomas Francis Wenman (1745-1796); Fellow of All Souls +College, and Regius Professor, 1789-1796.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_359" href="#FNanchor_359" class="label">[359]</a> [John Robison (1739-1805). Elected Lecturer on Chemistry at +Glasgow in 1766, and described by Sir James Mackintosh as one of +the greatest mathematical philosophers of his age.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_360" href="#FNanchor_360" class="label">[360]</a> He added that an Oriental scholar from Hungary or Bohemia had +been invited to decipher the Arabic MSS., as no resident Oxonian +was equal to that duty; and that the poor foreigner, after sundry +vexations and indignities, and notwithstanding his laborious execution +of his task, was unhandsomely dismissed without sufficient remuneration +either in money or in fame. I have forgotten the man’s name, but I +think it was “Uri.”—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_361" href="#FNanchor_361" class="label">[361]</a> [Thomas Hornsby (1733-1810); Fellow of Corpus Christi College +and appointed Savilian Professor of Astronomy in 1763.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_362" href="#FNanchor_362" class="label">[362]</a> [John Randolph, D.D. (1749-1813). He held many professorships +at the University before becoming Bishop of Oxford in 1799; +became Bishop of Bangor in 1807, and of London in 1809. It is +related that most of his divinity lectures were delivered by candlelight, +and though notes were to be taken, his supposed listeners were usually +asleep.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_363" href="#FNanchor_363" class="label">[363]</a> [John Grosvenor (1742-1823), proprietor and editor of the <i>Oxford +Journal</i>. He was admitted to the privileges of the University in +1768.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_364" href="#FNanchor_364" class="label">[364]</a> [Sir Christopher Pegge (1765-1822), appointed Regius Professor +of Physic in 1801.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_365" href="#FNanchor_365" class="label">[365]</a> [Sir Henry Halford (1766-1844), son of Dr. James Vaughan. +He changed his name on inheriting a large property in 1809. He +practised in London, and was made a baronet by George III., whom +he attended, as well as George IV., William IV., and Queen Victoria.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_366" href="#FNanchor_366" class="label">[366]</a> On one of those occasions, in commending the younger students +for their diligence and exhorting them to persevere in it, his phraseology, +pure and Ciceronian as it was, exposed him to the saucy waggery +of some punsters, for he began one of his earnest paragraphs with +these words, “<i>Pergite</i>, Adolescentes, <i>Pergite</i>, inquam, Adolescentes.”—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_367" href="#FNanchor_367" class="label">[367]</a> It would be uncharitable to attribute the selection of Glasgow +to any persuasion in the testator’s mind that the Northern University +had fewer scruples than its neighbours, when anything was to be got +by concealing or overruling them. There is, however, a story current +that a Mr. Zachary Boyd once left a valuable collection of MSS. to that +Learned Body, on condition that a Bible in doggerel verse of his composition +should always lie on the table of the library. The translation +was not, indeed, in intention a <i>travesty</i>, but it had all the effect of one. +The University was sorely perplexed between a due reverence for +the sacred writings and an unwillingness to forego a valuable legacy. +At length they hit upon an expedient by which they hoped to secure +the bequest, spare their students and visitors the scandal of seeing +the scripture in so unbecoming a garb, and yet adhere to the letter +of the conditions. They nailed the book to the table, enclosed it +in a heavy wooden binding with ponderous clasps; and if they did +not prohibit, discouraged all examination of it, as well as resorted +to every artifice to prevent its attracting any notice whatever.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_368" href="#FNanchor_368" class="label">[368]</a> [John Hunter (1728-1793), the celebrated surgeon and anatomist. +Born in Lanarkshire, he first practised cabinet-making in +Glasgow, but at the age of twenty went to London, where he commenced +his studies in anatomy. He took part in Keppel’s expedition +to Belleisle in 1761, and was appointed Surgeon-Extraordinary to +George III. in 1776.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_369" href="#FNanchor_369" class="label">[369]</a> [He was flatly contradicted by one of his colleagues when +speaking at a board meeting at St. George’s Hospital. He retired +to an adjoining room, where he almost immediately fell dead.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_370" href="#FNanchor_370" class="label">[370]</a> [Johann Gaspar Lavater (1741-1801), the famous physiognomist, +and a minister at Zurich. He was wounded during the capture of +that town by Massena in 1799, and died from the effects.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_371" href="#FNanchor_371" class="label">[371]</a> [John Baker Holroyd, first Earl of Sheffield (1735-1821), who +edited Gibbon’s <i>Miscellaneous Works</i> and <i>Memoirs</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_372" href="#FNanchor_372" class="label">[372]</a> [In 1779. The remaining lines of the stanza are:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Thought no way so sure</div> + <div class="verse indent0">His pen to secure,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">As to give the historian a place.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">Wraxall says that, notwithstanding Lord Holland’s contradiction of +the fact, he always understood that the verses were of Mr. Fox’s +composition.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_373" href="#FNanchor_373" class="label">[373]</a> So Sheridan told me, but Lord John Townshend assures me it is +a mistake,* and that Mr. Fox, anxious to make Sheridan’s acquaintance, +prevailed upon Lord John to give them a dinner at the St. Albans +Tavern, where these two great orators met one another for the first +time.—V.H.</p> + +<p>* “Jack Townshend called it by a coarser name,” one which I am +afraid he has never much scruple in applying to Mr. Sheridan’s assertions.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_374" href="#FNanchor_374" class="label">[374]</a> Query: <i>’Tis scarcely odds</i>.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_375" href="#FNanchor_375" class="label">[375]</a> [At Winchester.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_376" href="#FNanchor_376" class="label">[376]</a> His bust is placed among those of the friends of Mr. Fox in the +Temple of Liberty at Woburn Abbey.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_377" href="#FNanchor_377" class="label">[377]</a> [It is related that Fox, when receiving congratulations on his first +speech in Parliament, remarked, “Wait until you hear Hare.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_378" href="#FNanchor_378" class="label">[378]</a> [William Mitford (1744-1827).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_379" href="#FNanchor_379" class="label">[379]</a> [William Coxe (1747-1828), fellow of King’s College, Cambridge.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_380" href="#FNanchor_380" class="label">[380]</a> [<i>Memoirs of the Administrations of Henry Pelham.</i>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_381" href="#FNanchor_381" class="label">[381]</a> [John Douglas, D.D. (1721-1807); Bishop of Carlisle, 1787-1791; +and of Salisbury, 1791-1807. He was the origin of the discovery of +the forgeries of William Lauder, who accused Milton of imitating the +works of the seventeenth-century Latin poets, and who, to prove his +case, had produced garbled and inaccurate quotations.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_382" href="#FNanchor_382" class="label">[382]</a> [Thomas Burgess, D.D. (1756-1837); Bishop of St. David’s; +1803-1825; and of Salisbury, 1825-1837.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_383" href="#FNanchor_383" class="label">[383]</a> [William Scott, Lord Stowell (1745-1836), son of a coal-merchant +in Newcastle. Barrister; and Judge of the High Court of the Admiralty, +1798-1828. He was knighted in 1788, and was raised to the peerage +in 1821. His friendship with Dr. Johnson dated back to their Oxford +days.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_384" href="#FNanchor_384" class="label">[384]</a> [The original Literary Club, or “The Club,” founded in 1763, and +held at the Turk’s Head, Gerrard Street, Soho, till 1783. It was +originally a weekly supper, but after 1772 it became a fortnightly +dinner during the Parliamentary Session. Late in 1783 Dr. Johnson +formed another club, held at the Essex Head in Essex Street.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_385" href="#FNanchor_385" class="label">[385]</a> Miss Mary Palmer (1750-1820), niece of Sir Joshua Reynolds, +who married, in 1792, Murrough, first Marquess of Thomond. Sir +Walter Armstrong, in his <i>Life of Sir Joshua Reynolds</i>, states that +the <i>Dialogue</i> was first printed privately in 1816.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_386" href="#FNanchor_386" class="label">[386]</a> The story is told of Annibal Caracci; and if Sir Joshua said it, +as I have been often assured he did, he stole it from the same biographical +account of that painter.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_387" href="#FNanchor_387" class="label">[387]</a> [The picture is at Petworth, and belongs to Lord Leconfield.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_388" href="#FNanchor_388" class="label">[388]</a> George III.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_389" href="#FNanchor_389" class="label">[389]</a> [Lord Holland probably refers to an exhibition of Hogarth’s pictures +held in the Gallery of the British Institution in 1814, succeeding one +of the works of Sir Joshua Reynolds’ in the preceding year.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_390" href="#FNanchor_390" class="label">[390]</a> Yet with all its defects it is a well-coloured (piece) picture.</p> + +<p>To the reader of my MS., perhaps the double sense of my original +word in the above note made it a more correct description of the work, +but for that very reason I expunge it.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[The picture is now in the National Gallery, to which it was bequeathed, +in 1879, by Mr. J. H. Anderdon. Hogarth attempted to follow the lines +of Correggio in the composition.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_391" href="#FNanchor_391" class="label">[391]</a> [Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828). He was born +of humble parents in a small village in Aragon, and never studied +painting till after the age of sixteen. He spent some years in Rome, +and returned to Spain in 1774.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_392" href="#FNanchor_392" class="label">[392]</a> [Don Gaspar Melchior de Jovellanos (1744-1811), statesman +and poet. He was a member of the Supreme Junta during the first +years of the Peninsular War, and took an active part in the direction +of operations against the French. Joseph, when King of Spain, offered +him the post of Minister, which he refused.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_393" href="#FNanchor_393" class="label">[393]</a> [Antonio Josef Cavanilles (1744-1804). He went to Paris with +the Spanish Ambassador in 1777, and remained twelve years in +France.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_394" href="#FNanchor_394" class="label">[394]</a> [Alleyne Fitzherbert (1753-1839), created Lord St. Helens in +1791. Ambassador at Madrid, 1791-1794.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_395" href="#FNanchor_395" class="label">[395]</a> [Antonio Canova (1757-1822), the celebrated sculptor, born at +Passagno, near Venice.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_396" href="#FNanchor_396" class="label">[396]</a> [François Xavier Fabre (1766-1837), a French painter of portraits +and historical subjects. He lived almost entirely in Italy until 1826, +when he returned to his native town of Montpellier, where he died. +Several of his pictures are preserved at Holland House, including a +portrait of Lord Holland, painted in 1796.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_397" href="#FNanchor_397" class="label">[397]</a> [Louise de Stolberg-Goedern, Countess D’Albany (1753-1824), +widow of Prince Charles Edward, “the young Pretender.” She lived +for many years at Florence with Alfieri, the celebrated dramatist and +poet, but seems never to have married him. After his death in 1803 +she became attached to Fabre, and by her will left him everything +she had.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_398" href="#FNanchor_398" class="label">[398]</a> [John Flaxman (1755-1826), sculptor and draughtsman.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_399" href="#FNanchor_399" class="label">[399]</a> [Lazaro Spallanzani (1729-1799), naturalist, and director of the +Museum at Pavia.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_400" href="#FNanchor_400" class="label">[400]</a> [Aloisio Galvani (1737-1798), the discoverer of the action of +electricity on the muscles of the human frame—a power called after +his name. A native of Bologna, he became professor of that university +in 1762, and remained until 1790, when he was deprived of his post +because he refused, from religious scruples, to take the oath prescribed +by the Cisalpine Republic.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_401" href="#FNanchor_401" class="label">[401]</a> [Fontana was born in 1730, and died at Florence in 1805. He was +appointed Professor of Philosophy at Pisa by the Grand Duke Francis, +but was recalled by the Grand Duke Leopold to Florence, and placed +at the head of the Natural History Museum.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_402" href="#FNanchor_402" class="label">[402]</a> [Giovanni Fabroni (1752-1822), who succeeded Fontana as Director. +He was appointed Overseer of the Roads and Bridges, by Napoleon, and +to him is due the commencement of the Corniche road.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_403" href="#FNanchor_403" class="label">[403]</a> [Giuseppe Parini (1729-1799), a native of Milan, whose chief +work was <i>Il Giorno</i>, a satire.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_404" href="#FNanchor_404" class="label">[404]</a> [Vincenzo Monti (1754-1828), Italian lyric poet and dramatist.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_405" href="#FNanchor_405" class="label">[405]</a> [Juan Andrès (1740-1817).]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_406" href="#FNanchor_406" class="label">[406]</a> [Girolamo Tiraboschi (1731-1794), an Italian author, who published +a <i>History of Italian Literature</i>, etc.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_407" href="#FNanchor_407" class="label">[407]</a> [Melchiore Cesarotti (1730-1808), Italian poet and professor of +Greek and Hebrew at Padua. He translated <i>Ossian</i> into Italian blank +verse.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_408" href="#FNanchor_408" class="label">[408]</a> [William Roscoe (1753-1831), historian. Member of Parliament +for Liverpool, 1806-1807, in the Whig interest.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_409" href="#FNanchor_409" class="label">[409]</a> [Horace Walpole.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_410" href="#FNanchor_410" class="label">[410]</a> [James Currie, M.D. (1756-1805). Originally a native of Dumfriesshire, +he emigrated to Virginia and spent seven years of his life in +America. He studied medicine at Edinburgh with the intention of +returning across the seas; but hearing that a doctor was wanted in +Liverpool, he settled there in 1780.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_411" href="#FNanchor_411" class="label">[411]</a> [William Shepherd (1768-1847), Dissenting minister of Gateacre, +near Liverpool, and author of a <i>Life of Poggio Bracciolini</i>.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_412" href="#FNanchor_412" class="label">[412]</a> [Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775-1818), son of a large land-owner in +Jamaica. He was for a short time attaché at the Hague, where he +wrote <i>The Monk</i>; and sat in the House of Commons 1792-1802. +Sir Walter Scott said of his verses, “He had the finest ear for rhythm +I ever met with—finer than Byron’s.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_413" href="#FNanchor_413" class="label">[413]</a> [Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), physician. Grandfather of the +more celebrated Charles Darwin. He married, as his second wife, the +widow of Colonel Chandos-Pole, of Radbourne Hall, Derbyshire, where +he lived for some years. He died quite suddenly of heart disease.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_414" href="#FNanchor_414" class="label">[414]</a> [William Godwin, the elder (1756-1836), philosopher and novelist. +He married, in 1797, Mary Wollstonecraft, the authoress, who died the +same year. <i>The Adventures of Caleb Williams</i>, a novel, was one of +his best-known works.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_415" href="#FNanchor_415" class="label">[415]</a> [John Curran (1750-1817), the Irish orator and judge.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_416" href="#FNanchor_416" class="label">[416]</a> [Thomas Holcroft (1745-1809), son of a London shoemaker, who +fell into difficulties and turned pedlar. Young Holcroft accompanied +his father on his wanderings, and became a stable-boy at Newmarket +at the age of thirteen. Returning to London, he worked for some time +at the shoemaking trade, which he then abandoned for the stage. He +began to contribute articles to the newspapers about the same time, +and to write plays with some success, <i>The Road to Ruin</i> being his +best-known composition. He became deeply imbued with the principles +of the French Revolution, and was indicted, in 1794, with Thomas +Hardy and others, for high treason; but his case was dismissed without +a trial. He was four times married.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_417" href="#FNanchor_417" class="label">[417]</a> [James Kenney (1780-1849). He married Holcroft’s widow, not +his daughter.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_418" href="#FNanchor_418" class="label">[418]</a> [A weekly review founded by Canning in 1797. <i>The Needy +Knife-grinder</i> was also the joint production of Canning and +Frere.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_419" href="#FNanchor_419" class="label">[419]</a> [Robert Southey (1774-1843), the poet and historian.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_420" href="#FNanchor_420" class="label">[420]</a> [Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey (1773-1850), Scottish judge, and editor +of <i>The Edinburgh Review</i> from 1803 to 1829.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_421" href="#FNanchor_421" class="label">[421]</a> Bayle, in speaking of too great a fastidiousness or apprehension of +coming before the public, says, “Ce defaut n’est pas fort commun +parmi les auteurs et néanmoins on peut dire qu’à certains égards +<i>il ne l’est que trop</i>; car pour l’ordinaire ce ne sont pas les mauvais +auteurs ou les écrivains médiocres qui en sont coupables, ce sont <i>les +plus excellentes plumes</i>”: and surely the productions of nine or ninety-nine +bad or middling works is not so serious an evil to the public as +the suppression of one excellent or useful one.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_422" href="#FNanchor_422" class="label">[422]</a> [“Tenui Musam meditamur avena.”]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_423" href="#FNanchor_423" class="label">[423]</a> [Richard Payne Knight (1750-1820), the celebrated antiquarian +and collector of coins.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_424" href="#FNanchor_424" class="label">[424]</a> This name must be omitted in any copy likely to be read before +Lord Strangford’s death.—V.H.</p> + +<p>[Bartholomew Frere (1778-1851) was a younger brother of John +Hookham Frere. He was Minister Plenipotentiary <i>ad interim</i> in +Spain 1809-1810, and Secretary of Legation at Constantinople for +some years.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_425" href="#FNanchor_425" class="label">[425]</a> Is it possible that, in this instance also, Brougham secretly and +maliciously conveyed to the object of the invective, that not he, but the +person who had in truth remonstrated against it, was the author? I +have no ground for a suspicion, but the mischief and fun of such a +manœuvre would not be out of character, nor a solitary instance of his +so indulging his malice or revenge.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_426" href="#FNanchor_426" class="label">[426]</a> [<i>Poems from the Portuguese of Camoëns, with Remarks and +Notes.</i>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_427" href="#FNanchor_427" class="label">[427]</a> [George Lamb (1784-1834), brother of Lord Melbourne.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_428" href="#FNanchor_428" class="label">[428]</a> 1836. The manner in which this impression was effaced through +the kind offices of Mr. Rogers, ever active in promoting reconciliations +between his friends, is related elsewhere in my writings, and will, if +this chapter be ever finished, be in all probability again alluded to and +explained.—V.H. [<a href="#Page_122">See <i>ante</i>, p. 122.</a>]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_429" href="#FNanchor_429" class="label">[429]</a> [These <i>Observations</i> were written by Lord Strangford in refutation +of certain statements of Colonel William Napier’s in his <i>History of the +Peninsular War</i>; and Colonel Napier issued a pamphlet in answer +upholding his view of the case.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_430" href="#FNanchor_430" class="label">[430]</a> Lord Strangford’s <i>Observations</i>, pp. 5, 6.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_431" href="#FNanchor_431" class="label">[431]</a> <i>Ibid.</i> pp. 10, 20, 22.—V.H.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a id="Footnote_432" href="#FNanchor_432" class="label">[432]</a> [Charles Lloyd (1735-1773), Private Secretary to George Grenville, +and the writer of several political pamphlets in his patron’s interests. +Lord North certainly at one time entertained suspicions that Lloyd +was the author of the <i>Junius Letters</i>.]</p></div> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" aria-hidden="true"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_407">[407]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="INDEX">INDEX</h2> + +<p class="center"><i>The figures in italics refer to the notes only</i></p> + +</div> + +<nav> + +<ul> + +<li class="ifrst">Abbot, Charles, Speaker (afterwards Lord Colchester), and Catholic Emancipation, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Abercromby, James (afterwards Lord Dunfermline), <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Aberdeen, Earl of, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Adair, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Adam, William, Attorney-General to Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Alava, General, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Albemarle, Lord, <a href="#Page_404">404</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Albuera, victory of, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Alcudia, Manuel de Godoy, Duke of (“Prince of the Peace”), <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Alexander I., Emperor of Russia, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">visit to England, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his want of firmness, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">popularity, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in Paris, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and Lord Holland, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Alien Bill, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_252"><i>252</i></a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Allen, Dr. John, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Althorp, Lord, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Amelia, Princess, her death, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ampthill, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Andrea, Carlo (Pozzo di Borgo), <a href="#Page_191"><i>191</i></a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Andrès, Juan, <a href="#Page_374">374</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Anglesey, Lord, <a href="#Page_199"><i>199</i></a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Angoulême, Duke d’, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Annual Register</i>, <a href="#Page_37"><i>37</i></a>, <a href="#Page_98"><i>98</i></a>, <a href="#Page_103"><i>103</i></a>, <a href="#Page_117"><i>117</i></a>, + <a href="#Page_119"><i>119</i></a>, <a href="#Page_134"><i>134</i></a>, <a href="#Page_222"><i>222</i></a>, <a href="#Page_287"><i>287</i></a>, <a href="#Page_299"><i>299</i></a>, + <a href="#Page_301"><i>301</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Anti-Jacobin, The</i>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Apodaca, Admiral, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Appropriation Bill, <a href="#Page_53"><i>53</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Arden, Charles George, Lord, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ashburton, Richard, second Lord, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Aspern, battle of, <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Astorga, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Atkins, Lord Mayor, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Auckland, Lord, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Deputy-Teller of the Exchequer, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Austria, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Badcock, Samuel, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Baird, General Sir David, at Coruña, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Barford, Dr. William, his Greek translation of Gray’s <i>Elegy</i>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Baring, Alexander (Lord Ashburton), <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Barrington, Hon. Shute, Bishop of Durham, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bathurst, Lord, Secretary for War and Colonies, <a href="#Page_147"><i>147</i></a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Right Hon. Charles Bragge, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bayle, Pierre, <i>Dictionnaire, etc.</i>, <a href="#Page_386"><i>386</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Beddoes, Dr., Reader in Chemistry at Oxford, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bedford, Duke of, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bell, Mr., <a href="#Page_10"><i>10</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bellingham, assassinates Mr. Perceval, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">trial and execution, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Berkeley, Frederick Augustus, Earl of, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, William, Earl Fitzhardinge, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_107"><i>107</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bernadotte, General, Crown Prince of Sweden, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blackstone, Sir William, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blanca, Count Florida, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blucher, General, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Borgo, Count Pozzo di, <a href="#Page_191"><i>191</i></a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Boringdon, Lord, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_408">[408]</span>Borodino, battle of, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Boswell, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">“the Bear Leader,” <a href="#Page_321">321</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a supposed dialogue between Dr. Johnson and, <a href="#Page_362">362</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bourbon, Duke of, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bourbons, plot for the restoration of the, <a href="#Page_189">189-91</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">re-establishment, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Boyd, Zachary, his bequest to Glasgow University, <a href="#Page_341"><i>341</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Boyle, Charles, fourth Earl of Orrery, <a href="#Page_327"><i>327</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">British Commerce, Orders in Council, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brougham, Henry, his criticisms of Lord Strangford, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">accession to the Whig party, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">treatment of Lord Holland and Mr. Horner, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his review of Byron’s first poems, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">revision of the Orders in Council, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">approves Bill for detention of Napoleon, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">diatribe against the Prince Regent, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">proposals for the Princess of Wales, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">appointed Attorney-General, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">contributions to <i>The Edinburgh Review</i>, <a href="#Page_387">387</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brown Bread Bill, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brunswick, Crown Princess of, <a href="#Page_58"><i>58</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Buchan, Lord, <a href="#Page_320"><i>320</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Buckingham, Duke of, assassinated, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Marquis of, <a href="#Page_58"><i>58</i></a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bullion, Committee on, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bunbury, H., <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Burdett, Sir Francis, sent to the Tower, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his qualities, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">political views, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">trial, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Burgess, Dr. Thomas, <a href="#Page_359">359</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Burgos, attack on, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Burke, Edmund, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his intemperate language, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">the dagger incident, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">eulogy of Sir J. Reynolds, <a href="#Page_367">367</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Burlington House, meetings at, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Burrard, Sir Harry, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Burton Pynsent, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bute, Lord, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Byron, Lord, his verses on Princess Charlotte, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>English Bards and Scotch Reviewers</i>, <a href="#Page_122"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Brougham’s review of his first poems, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his speech on the Frame-breaking Bill, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his <i>Drury Lane Address</i>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Cadiz, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">siege of, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">raised, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cambridge, Duke of, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Camden, Lord, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Campomanes, <a href="#Page_369">369</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Canning, George, Foreign Secretary, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his duel with Lord Castlereagh, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">resignation, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and Lord Strangford, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">enters Cabinet, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Ambassador Extraordinary at Lisbon, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Board of Control, <a href="#Page_235"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his intimacy with the Queen, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">contributor to <i>The Microcosm</i>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">facility of composition, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his first verses on the slavery of Greece, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>The Anti-Jacobin</i>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Canova, Antonio, <a href="#Page_370">370</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Capel, Admiral Sir Thomas Bladen, in command of the <i>Endymion</i>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Caracci, Annibal, story of, <a href="#Page_365"><i>365</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Carleton, Sir Guy (Lord Dorchester), <a href="#Page_32"><i>32</i></a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Carlyle, Joseph Dacre, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> + +<li class="indx" id="Caroline">Caroline, Queen, her arrival in London, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">George IV.’s treatment of, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">death, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">proceedings against, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">her trial in the House of Lords, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">withdrawal of proceedings, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">at St. Paul’s, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">her attempt to appear at the Coronation, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>See</i> <a href="#Princess_of_Wales">Wales</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cartwright, Major John, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Castlereagh, Lord, the Walcheren Expedition, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">duel with Canning and resignation, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Foreign Secretary, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and Catholic Emancipation, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in Holland, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">defeat of his Property Tax, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Castlereagh Correspondence</i>, <a href="#Page_24"><i>24</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cathcart, Lord, <a href="#Page_167"><i>167</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Catholic Emancipation Question, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">petitions against, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Bill withdrawn, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_409">[409]</span>Cato Street conspiracy, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Caulaincourt, General, French plenipotentiary at Chatillon, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cavanilles, Abbé Antonio Josef, <a href="#Page_369">369</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cavendish, Lord G., <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Lord John, on George III., <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cesarotti, Melchiore, <a href="#Page_374">374</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chamberlayne, Mr., Consul at Rio Janeiro, <a href="#Page_10"><i>10</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Charles IV., of Spain, his abdication, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Charlotte, Princess, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>.</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>See</i> <a href="#Charlotte_of_Wales">Wales</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Queen, her death, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chatham, Lord, and the Walcheren expedition, <a href="#Page_31">31-3</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chatillon, Congress of, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chatterton, Thomas, his poems, <a href="#Page_312"><i>312</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chesterfield, Lord, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cholmondeley, Lord, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cintra, Convention of, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ciudad Rodrigo, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Clarke, Mrs., <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Rev. Dr., <a href="#Page_376">376</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Clausel, General, in command of the French troops, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Clergy, Perceval’s grant to the, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Clifford, Henry, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> + +<li class="indx">“Club, The,” <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">origin and members, <a href="#Page_361">361</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Clubs, the King of, founders, <a href="#Page_332"><i>332</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cobbett, William, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his paper <i>The Weekly Political Register</i>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his characteristics, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">flight to America, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">article in <i>Edinburgh Review</i> on, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cocchi, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cochrane, Lord, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coke, Mr., of Holkham, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coleridge, S. T., <a href="#Page_383">383</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Condorcet, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Continental System</i>, result of, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Copenhagen, bombardment of, <a href="#Page_3">3</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Copley, Sir Lionel, <a href="#Page_161"><i>161</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Corn Law of 1815, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cornwallis, Lord, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coruña, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">battle of, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Courcy, Admiral de, in command at Coruña, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Covent Garden Theatre, destroyed by fire and rebuilt, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cowper, Lord, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coxe, William, travelling tutor, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>Memoirs of the Administration of Henry Pelham</i>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cradock, Sir John, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Craufurd, Sir James, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Creevey, Thomas, <a href="#Page_171"><i>171</i></a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Creevey Papers</i>, <a href="#Page_28"><i>28</i></a>, <a href="#Page_137"><i>137</i></a>, <a href="#Page_197"><i>197</i></a>, <a href="#Page_218"><i>218</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Croker, J. W., <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Crowe, William, his verses, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Culver, his death in the Marshalsea prison, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cumberland, Duke of, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Curran, John, <a href="#Page_382">382</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Currie, Dr. James, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">D’Albany, Countess, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dalberg, Duc de, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dalmatia, Duke of, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dalrymple, Sir Hew, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> + +<li class="indx">D’Aranjo, Chevalier, Portuguese Minister, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_395">395</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Darlington, Lord (afterwards Duke of Cleveland), <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Darnley, Lord, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dartmouth, Lord, <a href="#Page_94"><i>94</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Darwin, Charles, <a href="#Page_380"><i>380</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Erasmus, <a href="#Page_380">380</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Davy, Sir Humphry, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Devizes, meeting at, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> + +<li class="indx">D’Holbach, Baron, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dissenting Ministers Bill, <a href="#Page_101">101-2</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dodd, Captain, aide-de-camp to the Duke of Kent, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Donoughmore, Earl of, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and the Catholic Petitions, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dorchester, Lord, <a href="#Page_32"><i>32</i></a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Douglas, Dr. John, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his detection of Lauder’s forgeries, <a href="#Page_360">360</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Drummond, British Envoy at Palermo, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Drury Lane Theatre, destroyed by fire, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">rebuilt, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">opened, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Byron’s <i>Address</i>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dumont, Mr., founder of the King of Clubs, <a href="#Page_332"><i>332</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Pierre Étienne Louis, <a href="#Page_263"><i>263</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dundas, Sir David, Commander-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dundonald, Earl of, <a href="#Page_253"><i>253</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Durham, Earl of, <a href="#Page_267"><i>267</i></a></li> + +<li class="ifrst"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_410">[410]</span>East India Company, monopoly of the, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ebrington, Lord (afterwards second Lord Fortescue), <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eden, William Frederick, his death, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Edinburgh Review, The</i>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">its motto and first appearance, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">contributors to, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">political character, <a href="#Page_387">387</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Egremont, George, third Earl of, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, + <a href="#Page_390">390</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Egypt, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eldon, Lord, Lord Chancellor, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_147"><i>147</i></a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, + <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Elgin, Thomas, seventh Earl of, Ambassador to the Porte, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ellenborough, Edward Law, first Baron, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Committee of Inquiry into the Charges against the Princess of Wales, <a href="#Page_174"><i>174</i></a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the amendment of the Marriage Act, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Elliot, Sir Gilbert (second Earl of Minto), on Sheridan’s Begum Speech, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_244"><i>244</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ellis, George, <a href="#Page_51">51-2</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Elliston, Robert William, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">manager of Drury Lane Theatre, <a href="#Page_163"><i>163</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">England, outbreak of war with the United States, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Erskine, Hon. Henry, Lord Advocate, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Lord, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Committee of Inquiry into the Charges against the Princess of Wales, <a href="#Page_174"><i>174</i></a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his loss of memory, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">services in the trials of 1794, <a href="#Page_296"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character, <a href="#Page_297">297-9</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">style of his speeches, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">elocution, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">death, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Estremadura, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Ex officio</i> informations, Bills rejected on, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Fabre, François Xavier, <a href="#Page_370">370</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fabroni, Giovanni, <a href="#Page_373">373</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fazakerley, Mr., on Napoleon’s admission of failure, <a href="#Page_182"><i>182</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Felton, assassinates the Duke of Buckingham, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ferdinand IV., king of Naples, his arbitrary powers, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ferdinand VII., king of Spain, scheme for rescuing, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his return to power, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Filmer, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_194"><i>194</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">FitzClarence, Lady Mary, her marriage, <a href="#Page_211"><i>211</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fitzgerald, Lady Olivia, <a href="#Page_223"><i>223</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fitzhardinge, Earl, <a href="#Page_107"><i>107</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fitzherbert, Alleyne, <a href="#Page_370"><i>370</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fitzpatrick, General, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his letter to Lord Ossory, <a href="#Page_95">95-7</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">death, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">the <i>Rolliad</i>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">“my own epitaph,” <a href="#Page_173"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">lines on Gibbon, <a href="#Page_349">349</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fitzwilliam, Lord, <a href="#Page_94"><i>94</i></a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his character, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">loan to the Duke of Kent, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Flahault, Count Auguste Charles Joseph, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Madame de, on the flight of Princess Charlotte, <a href="#Page_201"><i>201</i></a>, <a href="#Page_220"><i>220</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Flaxman, John, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Folkestone, Lord, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fontana, Professor of Philosophy at Pisa, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fortescue, Earl, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + +<li class="indx" id="Fouche">Fouché, Joseph, Duke of Otranto, Minister of the Interior, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fox, Charles James, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_110"><i>110</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the appearance of George III., <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the character of the Prince of Wales’ conversation, <a href="#Page_74"><i>74</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Sheridan on, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Lord Grenville’s character, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Gibbon’s want of principle in politics, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his introduction to Sheridan, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Sir Joshua Reynolds’ picture, “The Death of Cardinal Beaufort,” <a href="#Page_366">366</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the publication of <i>The Life of Lorenzo of Medici</i>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, General Charles Richard, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, the Hon. Henry Edward, his death, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> + +<li class="indx">France, secret alliance with Russia and Prussia against Great Britain, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">war with Austria, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">treaties with Prussia and Austria, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Allies enter Paris, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">provisional Government proclaimed, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">amount of indemnities, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">political reaction in, <a href="#Page_205"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">result of the election of the Chamber, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_411">[411]</span>settlement of, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">removal of works of art, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Francis, Grand-Duke of Tuscany, <a href="#Page_372"><i>372</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Sir Philip, his denial of the authorship of <i>Junius Letters</i>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Frederick William, king of Prussia, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in London, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Frere, Bartholomew, his contributions to <i>The Edinburgh Review</i>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Rt. Hon. John Hookham, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his characteristics, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">created Marquis de la Union, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">contributor to <i>The Microcosm</i>, <a href="#Page_310"><i>310</i></a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">originality of his humour, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">conversation, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">fondness for reading, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Funchal, Marquis de, Portuguese Ambassador, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Gainsborough, <a href="#Page_367">367</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gallois, Jean Antoine, <a href="#Page_190"><i>190</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Galvani, Aloisio, and galvanism, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Garrick, David, the intellectual powers of, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">affectation of superiority, <a href="#Page_363">363</a></li> + +<li class="indx">George, Dr., his Greek and Latin verse, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li class="indx">George III., king, symptoms of insanity, <a href="#Page_57">57-60</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his habits of intrigue and duplicity, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">death of his daughter, Princess Amelia, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">affection for his children, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character, <a href="#Page_61">61-6</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">cause of his popularity, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">policy to Hanover, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">hopes of his recovery, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">interview with Mr. Perceval, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his death, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character of his Court, <a href="#Page_378">378</a></li> + +<li class="indx" id="George_IV">George IV., his accession, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his treatment of Queen Caroline, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">proclaimed King, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">illness, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">reception at the theatres, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his coronation, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in Ireland, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the death of Queen Caroline, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>See</i> <a href="#Prince_of_Wales">Wales</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ghent, Treaty of, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gibbon, Edward, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">devotion to letters, and vanity, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">want of principle in politics, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">accepts office, <a href="#Page_348"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">lines on, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">homage paid to him at Lausanne, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a tribute to, <a href="#Page_355">355</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gijon, <a href="#Page_369">369</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Glasgow University, <a href="#Page_340">340-1</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Glennie, Mr., <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Glynn, Dr. Robert, his Seatonian Prize on the Day of Judgment, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goderich, Lord, <a href="#Page_189"><i>189</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Godoy, Manuel de, Duke of Alcudia (“Prince of the Peace”), <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Godwin, William, <i>Caleb Williams</i>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his marriages, <a href="#Page_382">382</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goodall, Dr. Joseph, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goodwin, Mr., <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gordon, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goya, Francisco José de, artist, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Graham, General, at Cadiz, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grampound Enfranchisement Bill, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grantham, Lord, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grant, Sir William, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Granville, Earl, Ambassador to Russia, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grattan, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and Catholic Emancipation, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his death, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grenville, Lord, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_35"><i>35</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his refusal to form an Administration, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Chancellor of the University of Oxford, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his views on Roman Catholics, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">treatment of Sheridan, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his support of the Regency Bill, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">audience with the Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_80">80-2</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">retains his auditorship, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a draft withdrawn, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a laboured remonstrance, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on a change of Ministers, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">refuses to accept office, <a href="#Page_117">117-9</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">negotiations with Lord Wellesley, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">interview with Lord Moira, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the monopoly of the East India Company, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Committee of Inquiry into the charges against the Princess of Wales, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his speech in support of the war, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">close of his public life, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Queen Caroline’s Bill, <a href="#Page_271"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his proxy for the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_412">[412]</span>death, <a href="#Page_272"><i>ibid.</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grenville, Thomas, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grey, Lady, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Lord, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Perceval’s overtures to, <a href="#Page_36">36-40</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the state of the nation, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his treatment of Sheridan, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in London, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a laboured remonstrance, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on a change of Ministers, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the invitation to accept office, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">manifesto on his opinions, <a href="#Page_117">117-9</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Prince of Wales’ duplicity, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">negotiations with Lord Wellesley, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">interview with Lord Moira, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his motion on the Corn Law, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Lord Holland’s letter to, <a href="#Page_400">400-3</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grosvenor, John, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grove, Sir Nathaniel, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gustavus IV., king of Sweden, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Habeas Corpus Act, suspension of, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254-5</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">repeal, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Halford, Sir Henry, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hall, Captain Basil, <a href="#Page_21"><i>21</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hardenberg, Count, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hardwicke, Lord, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hardy, Thomas, <a href="#Page_382"><i>382</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hare, Mr., his lines on his appointment to Warsaw, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">characteristics, <a href="#Page_351">351-2</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">marriage, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">political views, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Harris, Sir John, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Harrison, arrest of, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Harrowby, Lord, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Lord President of the Council, <a href="#Page_147"><i>147</i></a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Heard, Sir Isaac, Garter King-of-Arms, proclaims George IV. King, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hertford, Lady, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Marquess of, <a href="#Page_86"><i>86</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hervey, Lord, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hewitt, Mrs., <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hickes, <i>Thesaurus</i>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hill, Mr., chaplain to the factory at Lisbon, <a href="#Page_384">384</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hobhouse, Sir Benjamin, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hogarth, his exhibition of pictures, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>Sigismonda</i>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Holcroft, Thomas, <i>The Road to Ruin</i>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">indictment, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">marriage, <a href="#Page_383"><i>ibid.</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Holkham, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Holland House, <a href="#Page_84"><i>84</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Lady, <a href="#Page_45"><i>45</i></a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the execution of Marshal Ney, <a href="#Page_222"><i>222</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Lord, Lord Privy Seal, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the dismissal of the Ministry “of all the talents,” <a href="#Page_1">1</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Recorder of Nottingham, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Regency Bill, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his attempt to revise cases of libel, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">estrangement with Lord Ellenborough, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on forming an Administration, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">attempts to modify the law on <i>ex-officio</i> informations, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his <i>Foreign Reminiscences</i>, <a href="#Page_189"><i>189</i></a>, <a href="#Page_210"><i>210</i></a>, <a href="#Page_219"><i>219</i></a>, + <a href="#Page_305"><i>305</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the plot for the restoration of the Bourbons, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>Miscellaneous Reminiscences</i>, <a href="#Page_210"><i>210</i></a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">accepts the seals of the Duchy of Lancaster, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his protest against the Bill for the detention of Napoleon, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his letter to Lord Kinnaird on the capitulation of Paris, <a href="#Page_224">224-8</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his motion for an inquiry into the treatment of Napoleon at St. Helena, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">bequest of Ampthill, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his proposed Repeal of the Royal Marriage Act, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his Bill to amend Treason Laws, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in France, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his publication of Horace Walpole’s <i>Memoirs of the Last Ten Years of the Reign of George II.</i>, <a href="#Page_309"><i>309</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">conversation with Lord Wellesley on the Prince Regent’s views on the Roman Catholic Question, <a href="#Page_396">396-9</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his letter to Lord Grey, <a href="#Page_400">400-3</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, revolution in, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Holy Alliance, Treaty of, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">meeting of the Powers, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hone, William, his indictment, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hood, Sir Samuel, at Vigo Bay, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Horner, Francis, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his treatment by Mr. Brougham, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Regency Bill, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on paper currency, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">President of the Parliamentary Committee on bullion, <a href="#Page_103"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his death—tributes to his memory, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_413">[413]</span>Hornsby, Dr. Thomas, Professor of Astronomy, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Howley, Dr., Bishop of London, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hume, David, his prediction of Lord Ossory, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hunt, Dr., <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Henry, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his arrest, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">trial, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hunter, John, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his dogmatical spirit, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">self-applause, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">denial of the efficacy of mineral springs, <a href="#Page_343"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">belief in the influence of the mind over the body, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">affection of his heart, <a href="#Page_344"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">inventive genius and investigation of anatomical truths, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hutchinson, Lord, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Indemnity Bill, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ingenhousz, John, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Jackson, Dr. Cyril, Dean of Christ Church, <a href="#Page_322">322-3</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, William, Bishop of Oxford, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jeffrey, Francis, Lord, on the character of Sir S. Romilly, <a href="#Page_264"><i>264</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">editor of <i>The Edinburgh Review</i>, <a href="#Page_386">386</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Mr., his charges against Lord St. Vincent, <a href="#Page_10"><i>10</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jenyns, Soame, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jersey, Lady, <a href="#Page_200"><i>200</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Johnson, Dr., <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">pensioned by George III., <a href="#Page_65"><i>65</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his <i>Tour to the Hebrides</i>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">founder of “The Club,” <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">style of his conversation, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Garrick, <a href="#Page_363">363</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jones, John Gale, President of the “British Forum,” <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Rev. John Pike, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jordan, Mrs., <a href="#Page_211"><i>211</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jovellanos, Don Gaspar Melchior de, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Goya’s portrait of, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his talents and conversation, <a href="#Page_369">369</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Junius Letters</i>, author of, <a href="#Page_404">404</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Kemble, John, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kenney, James, <a href="#Page_383">383</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kent, Duke of, his death, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">marriage, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Commander-in-Chief in Canada and Governor of Gibraltar, <a href="#Page_273"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">observance of form and love of business, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">nickname, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kett, Henry, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx">King, Lord, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his method of defeating the system of paper currency, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kinnaird, Lord, letter from Lord Holland, <a href="#Page_224">224-8</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Knight, Richard Payne, his contributions to <i>The Edinburgh Review</i>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kolli, an adventurer, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Labedoyère, executed, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> + +<li class="indx">“Lake Poets,” <a href="#Page_383">383</a></li> + +<li class="indx">La Mancha, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lamb, George, <a href="#Page_389">389</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lambton, Mr., <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Langford, Dr., <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lansdowne, Henry Petty, third Marquess of, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Regency Bill, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his advice to Lords Grey and Grenville, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">at Devizes, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, John Henry, second Marquess of, his death, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">characteristics, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">epitaph, <a href="#Page_43"><i>ibid.</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, William, first Marquess of, <a href="#Page_44"><i>44</i></a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lauder, William, the forgeries of, <a href="#Page_359"><i>359</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lauderdale, James, eighth Earl of, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his amendment against the payment of compensation to Mr. Thomas Scott, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the question of the Duke of York’s reinstatement, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">champion of the Corn Law, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Laurence, Mr. Justice, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lavater, Johann Gaspar, physiognomist, <a href="#Page_346">346</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lawrence, Dr., <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Laybach, Congress of, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leach, Sir John, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">report of his conversation with Lord Holland, <a href="#Page_400">400-3</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leconfield, Lord, <a href="#Page_365"><i>365</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leinster, Augustus, third Duke of, motion on Queen’s trial, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_414">[414]</span>Leipsic, battle of, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leitrim, Lord, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leopold, Grand-Duke of Tuscany, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, Prince, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246-7</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leveson, Lord Granville (afterwards Earl Granville), <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lewis, Matthew Gregory, his novel <i>The Monk</i>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his death, <a href="#Page_380">380</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Libel, cases of, revision, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lieven, Count, Russian Ambassador in England, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Lis mota</i>, <a href="#Page_107"><i>107</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lisbon, expedition to, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">fortifications of Torres Vedras formed, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">emigration of the Court to the Brazils, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lisle, Hon. Mrs., <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Liverpool, Lord, Secretary for War, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Premier, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and the Regency Bill, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">negotiations for a new Ministry, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">declines to serve under Lord Moira, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character of his Administration, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Lord Stanhope’s speech on the Suspension Act, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his Bill dissolving the Queen’s marriage, <a href="#Page_278"><i>278</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his mission to the French Princes, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Londonderry, third Marquess of, <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lords, House of, inaction of the, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">use of proxies, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Loughborough, Lord, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Louis XVIII., Emperor of France, recalled to the throne, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_193"><i>193</i></a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, + <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">plot for his restoration, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and the Prince Regent, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">adopts the white cockade, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lowe, Sir Hudson, appointed gaoler of Napoleon, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lugo, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lynch, Mr., <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Maceroni, Colonel, <a href="#Page_257"><i>257</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mackenzie, General, <a href="#Page_30"><i>30</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mackintosh, Sir James, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_337"><i>337</i></a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mail coaches, invention of, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_108"><i>108</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Malone, Mr., his sketch of Mr. Windham’s life, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Manchester, meeting at, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</li> + +<li class="indx">“Massacre of Peterloo,” <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Manfredini, <a href="#Page_373">373</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Manners-Sutton, Charles, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Maria Louisa, Empress of Austria, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Markham, Archbishop of York, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Marmont, General, in command of the French, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_193"><i>193</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">defeated at Salamanca, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">capitulates to Allies, <a href="#Page_193"><i>193</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Marriage Act, amendment of, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Marshalsea prison, condition of, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Maryborough, Wellesley Pole, Lord, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> + +<li class="indx">“Massacre of Peterloo,” <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Massena, General, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">retires from Portugal, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">retreat, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Matarosa (Count Torreno), <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mellish, Mr., contributor to <i>The Microcosm</i>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Melville, Lord, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his objections to Lord Wellesley, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">First Lord of the Admiralty, <a href="#Page_147"><i>147</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mercier, his <i>Tableau de Paris</i>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Metternich, Prince, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mexico, expedition against, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Microcosm, The</i>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Middleton, Mr., <a href="#Page_310"><i>310</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Milner, Dr. John, Bishop of Castabala, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Milton, Charles William, Viscount, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Minto, Lord, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_244"><i>244</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mitford, William, <i>History of Greece</i>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Moira, Lord, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his approval of Lord Grey’s and Lord Grenville’s conduct, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">declines to form an Administration, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">interview with Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">failure of his negotiations, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">hopes to form a Ministry, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Governor-General of India, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Monson, Lord, <a href="#Page_194"><i>194</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Montholon, Count, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Monti, Vincenzo, <a href="#Page_374">374</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_415">[415]</span>Montrose, Duke of, and the outrage on Prince Regent, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Moore, Thomas; his <i>Life of Sheridan</i>, <a href="#Page_86"><i>86</i></a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">parody of the Prince Regent’s letter, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Admiral Sir Graham, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Sir John, death at Coruña, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in command of the troops in the Peninsular War, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his qualities, <a href="#Page_17">17-19</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his last letter, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Moreau, General, <a href="#Page_161"><i>161</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Morning Chronicle</i>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Morpeth, Lord, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his tribute to the memory of Francis Horner, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Morris, Captain, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Moscow, entered by the French, and burnt, <a href="#Page_164">164-5</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">retreat of the French, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mulgrave, Lord, Master-General of the Ordnance, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Murat, overthrown by the Austrians, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Murray, John, <a href="#Page_386">386</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Lord James, on the attempt on the life of the Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Major-General Sir George, Quarter-Master-General in the Peninsula, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Musa Anglicana</i>, <a href="#Page_313"><i>313</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Musæ Etonenses</i>, <a href="#Page_313"><i>313</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mutiny Bill, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Napier, Sir William, <a href="#Page_17"><i>17</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>Memoirs of Sir Charles Napier</i>, <a href="#Page_35"><i>35</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his <i>History of the Peninsular War</i>, <a href="#Page_30"><i>30</i></a>, <a href="#Page_393"><i>393</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Naples and Ferdinand IV., <a href="#Page_209">209</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">revolution at, <a href="#Page_300"><i>300</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Napoleon, Emperor, his meeting with Emperor Alexander at Tilsit, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">invades Portugal, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">obtains possession of Spain, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">returns to Paris, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">divorces Josephine, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his marriage, <a href="#Page_7"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">annexes the Papal States and Holland, <a href="#Page_7"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Danube, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his preparations against Russia, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">retreat from Moscow, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">defeated at Leipsic, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">dethroned and sent to Elba, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_193"><i>193</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his views of Emperor Alexander’s character, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">unreasonable demands for peace, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">admission of failure, <a href="#Page_182"><i>182</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">subterfuges, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">abdication, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">escapes from Elba and enters Paris, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">flight after battle of Waterloo, <a href="#Page_204"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">sent to St. Helena, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Bill for the Detention of, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">inquiry into the treatment of, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">death, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Navarette, battle of, <a href="#Page_179"><i>179</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Needy Knife-grinder, The</i>, <a href="#Page_384">384</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Nelson, Lord, his conduct at Naples, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>New Monthly Magazine</i>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Newton, Sir Isaac, <a href="#Page_315">315</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ney, Marshal, his trial and execution, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Norfolk, Duke of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> + +<li class="indx">North, Hon. Frederick, <a href="#Page_51"><i>51</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Hon. Dudley, on the author of <i>Junius Letters</i>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Northumberland, Duke of, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Oldenburg, Duchess of, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Orange, William, Prince of, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">proclaimed King of Holland and Belgium, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Orders in Council, result of, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">relinquished, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Orense, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Orford, Lord, <a href="#Page_376">376</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Orleans, Louis Philippe, Duke of, on the Prince Regent’s views on the Roman Catholic Question, <a href="#Page_398">398</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Osborne, Lord Francis, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ossian, <i>Poems</i>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ossory, Lord, General Fitzpatrick’s letter to, <a href="#Page_95">95-7</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the death of Mr. Whitbread, <a href="#Page_214"><i>214</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his death, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a tribute to, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Horace Walpole, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Otranto, Duke of. <i>See</i> <a href="#Fouche">Fouché</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ouvrard, Gabriel Julien, <a href="#Page_34"><i>34</i></a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Pains and Penalties Bill, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Palmer, Colonel, his claim for remuneration for the invention of mail coaches, <a href="#Page_106">106-8</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Paper and bullion, questions relating to, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Parini, Giuseppe, <a href="#Page_374">374</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Paris, treaties of, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, + <a href="#Page_217">217</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">capitulates to Allies, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_416">[416]</span>Parr, Dr. Samuel, his inscription on Sir John Moore’s monument, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">master at Harrow School, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a sketch of, <a href="#Page_326">326-9</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his Latin preface to Bellendenus, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Pitt, <a href="#Page_329"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Lord Liverpool’s mission to the French Princes, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">at Holkham, <a href="#Page_378">378</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pegge, Sir Christopher, Regius Professor of Physic, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pelham, Dr., <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Peninsular War, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pembroke, Lord, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Perceval, Mr., Prime Minister, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his correspondence with Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, <a href="#Page_36">36-8</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his grant to the clergy, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">assassinated, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Regency Bill, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">interview with George III., <a href="#Page_89">89</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and Prince Regent, <a href="#Page_91">91-2</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his principles, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character of his speeches, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Perry, James, editor of <i>Morning Chronicle</i>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Phalaris, The Epistles of</i>, <a href="#Page_327"><i>327</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pigott, Sir Arthur, Attorney-General, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his death, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pitt, William, his resignation (1801), <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Sheridan’s Begum Speech, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Dr. Parr’s opinion of, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Plunket, Lord, on Catholic Emancipation, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Poland, annexed to Russia, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pole, Wellesley (afterwards Lord Maryborough), <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ponsonby, Right Hon. George, leader of the Whigs, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, + <a href="#Page_109">109</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">death, <a href="#Page_265"><i>265</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pope, Alexander, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_310"><i>310</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Popham, Sir Home, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Porchester, Lord, conducts the Walcheren inquiry, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Porson, Richard, his marvellous memory, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character, <a href="#Page_332">332-3</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">elected Greek Professor at Cambridge, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">religious views, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his drunkenness, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his verses and repartees, <a href="#Page_335">335-6</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Portland, Duke of, <a href="#Page_35">35-6</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his death, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Chancellor of Oxford University, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Portugal, Royal Family leave for Brazil, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Postlethwaite, Dr., <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Property Tax, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">repeal of the, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pulteney, <a href="#Page_310"><i>310</i></a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Queen Anne’s Bounty, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Queensberry, Duke of, <a href="#Page_56"><i>56</i></a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Radnor, Lord, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Randolph, Dr. John, his divinity lectures, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Bishop of Oxford and London, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Redesdale, Lord, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Regency Bill, <a href="#Page_75">75-7</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Restrictive Laws, enactment of the, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Reynolds, Sir Joshua, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his portrait of John Hunter, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character of his pictures, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">conversation, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">literary works, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">price of his pictures, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>The Death of Cardinal Beaufort</i>, <a href="#Page_365"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">“a pattern of human happiness,” <a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Richmond, Duke of, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Roberts, Dr. W. H., Provost of Eton, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Robertson, William, Principal of Edinburgh University, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Robison, John, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rogers, Samuel, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his lines on the Prince Regent, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">epigram, <a href="#Page_194"><i>194</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a founder of the King of Clubs, <a href="#Page_332"><i>332</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Roman Catholic Bishops, veto on the appointment of, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Roman Catholic Question, Prince Regent’s views on, <a href="#Page_396">396-9</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Romanzow, Count Nicholas, Russian Chancellor, <a href="#Page_167"><i>167</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Romilly, Sir Samuel, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Committee of Inquiry into the Charges against the Princess of Wales, <a href="#Page_174"><i>174</i></a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his oratory, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">elected for Westminster, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his suicide, <a href="#Page_263"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his <i>Memoirs</i>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a founder of the King of Clubs, <a href="#Page_332"><i>332</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Romney, <a href="#Page_367">367</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Roscoe, William, <i>The Life of Lorenzo of Medici</i>, <a href="#Page_375">375-7</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">employed at Holkham, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rosslyn, Lord Chancellor, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Routh, Dr. Martin Joseph, President of Magdalen College, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_417">[417]</span>Royal Marriage Act, proposed repeal, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Russell, Lord William, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ryder, Right Hon. Richard, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">St. Helena, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> + +<li class="indx">St. Helens, Lord, Ambassador at Madrid, <a href="#Page_370">370</a></li> + +<li class="indx">St. John, Lord, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> + +<li class="indx">St. Vincent, Lord, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Salamanca, battle of, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Santini, <a href="#Page_257"><i>257</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Saxe-Coburg, Prince Leopold of, his marriage, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">annuity, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Schwarzenberg, General, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Scott, Thomas, question of the payment of compensation to, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Sir Walter, his treatment of Lord Holland, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Monk Lewis’ verses, <a href="#Page_379"><i>379</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his contributions to <i>The Edinburgh Review</i>, <a href="#Page_387">387</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sefton, Lord, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Select Vestry Bill, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Selwyn, George, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Seneca, quoted, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Seville, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Seymour, Lord Webb, <a href="#Page_386">386</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Shakespeare, <i>Richard II.</i>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sharp, Richard, a founder of the King of Clubs, <a href="#Page_332"><i>332</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sheffield, John Baker Holroyd, first Earl of, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Shepherd, Dr. William, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sheridan, Mrs. Thomas, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>Sidney Bidulph</i>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Richard Brinsley, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his influence over the Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">treatment by Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">applies for the Secretaryship of Ireland, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his criticism of Lord Grey’s and Lord Grenville’s draft, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">close of his career, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">debts, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">defects of character, <a href="#Page_238">238-40</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">parents, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">at school, <a href="#Page_240"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">intellectual powers, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">physical constitution, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">kindness and consideration, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">religious views, <a href="#Page_243"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">the Begum Speech, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">composition and style of his conversation, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his introduction to Mr. Fox, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>The Rivals</i>, <a href="#Page_349"><i>ibid.</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sheridan, Thomas, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sibthorp, Dr., <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sidmouth, Lord, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his resignation, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his Dissenting Ministers Bill, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Home Secretary, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">suspends the Habeas Corpus Act, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sitaro, Mr., <a href="#Page_10"><i>10</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Slave Trade, abolition of, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Smith, “Easley,” contributor to <i>The Microcosm</i>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Rev. Sydney, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his witticism on Lord Grenville, <a href="#Page_41"><i>41</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his proposed motto for <i>The Edinburgh Review</i>, <a href="#Page_387">387</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Robert Percy (Bobus), on Lord Erskine, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">contributor to <i>The Microcosm</i>, <a href="#Page_310"><i>310</i></a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">anecdote of Dr. Glynn, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his powers of application and reasoning, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">command of language, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">a founder of the King of Clubs, <a href="#Page_332"><i>332</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Sir George, sent to Cadiz, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Sir Sidney, in command of the English fleet at Lisbon, <a href="#Page_9"><i>9</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the South American Station, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Vernon, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Smithfield, meeting at, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Smollett’s <i>Continuation</i>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Soult, Marshal, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Southey, Robert, <a href="#Page_118"><i>118</i></a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his secret marriage, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">characteristics, <a href="#Page_385">385</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Souza-Continho, Domingo Antonio de, Marquis de Funchal, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spain, campaigns in, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">revolution, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">condition, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Constitution restored, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spallanzani, Lazaro, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spencer, Lord, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on Committee of Inquiry into the charges against the Princess of Wales, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Lord Henry, contributor to <i>The Microcosm</i>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stanhope, Charles, third Earl of, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">supports the paper currency system, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his device for preventing forgeries, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his death, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Lady, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_418">[418]</span>Stanhope, Philip Henry, fourth Earl of, on the Suspension Act, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stanley, Edward, Bishop of Norwich, on the “Massacre of Peterloo,” <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stephen, James, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stephenson, Mr., <a href="#Page_146"><i>146</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stowell (Sir William Scott), Lord, <a href="#Page_360"><i>360</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Strangford, Lord, his negotiations with Portugal, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">official despatch <i>Off the Tagus</i>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_393">393-5</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">appointed Minister at Rio Janeiro, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">criticism on his poems, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">facility in composition, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">diplomatic career, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his <i>Observations</i> on a note in Colonel Napier’s book, <a href="#Page_393">393</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Strawberry Hill, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sussex, Duke of, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sutton, Mr. Manners, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sweden, Bernadotte, Crown Prince of, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Swift, Jonathan, compared with Richard Porson, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Tacitus, <i>Ann.</i>, quoted, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Talavera, battle of, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Talleyrand, provisional Government proclaimed under, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_193"><i>193</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his intrigues, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his dismissal, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Taylor, Sir Herbert, Private Secretary to George III., <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Thistlewood, his plot for murdering the Ministry, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Thomond, Lady, <a href="#Page_364">364</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Thompson, Dr., his bequest to Glasgow University, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Thomson, T., <a href="#Page_386">386</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tickell, Richard, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tierney, Mr., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">President of the Board of Control, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">accepts the Leadership of the House of Commons, <a href="#Page_265">265-8</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his vote of censure, <a href="#Page_268">268</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tiraboschi, Girolamo, <a href="#Page_374">374</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tooke, Horne, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Torreno, Count, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Toulouse, battle of, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Townshend, Lord John, <a href="#Page_349"><i>349</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Travis, Archdeacon, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Treason Laws, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Troppau, meeting of the Holy Alliance at, <a href="#Page_301"><i>301</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tuy, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">United States, progress of, <a href="#Page_63"><i>63</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">war with England, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Non-Intercourse Act, <a href="#Page_127"><i>127</i></a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Valette, Antoine Marie, Count de la, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vaughan, Dr. (Sir Henry Halford), <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vega, Don Andres de la, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vernon, Caroline (Mrs. Bobus Smith), <a href="#Page_315">315</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Edward Venables, Archbishop of York, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Victoria, Queen, her birth, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">name given to, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vienna, Congress at, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vigo Bay, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vimiero, battle of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vitrolles, M., <a href="#Page_188">188-90</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vittoria, battle of, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Walcheren expedition, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30-1</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> + +<li class="indx" id="Charlotte_of_Wales">Wales, Princess Charlotte of, her marriage, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">letter on her marriage, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">flight and return, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">death, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx" id="Princess_of_Wales">——, Princess of, charges against, <a href="#Page_174">174-9</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">appeal to Parliament, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">her character, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in London, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_278"><i>278</i></a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">treatment by George IV., <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276-9</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">death, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>See</i> <a href="#Caroline">Caroline</a></li> + +<li class="indx" id="Prince_of_Wales">Wales, Prince of, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">appointed Regent, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">abstains from political concert with the Opposition, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character of his conversation, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">the Regency Bill, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">hostility to Mr. Perceval, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his audience with Lord Grenville, <a href="#Page_80">80-2</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">wish to reinstate the Duke of York, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">letter from the Queen, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on retaining his Ministers, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">takes the oath of Regency, <a href="#Page_91"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">reinstates the Duke of York, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">criticisms on his conduct, <a href="#Page_94">94-7</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his interest in the Spanish war, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">the Berkeley Peerage, <a href="#Page_106"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">the claim of Mr. Palmer, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_419">[419]</span>his letter to the Duke of York, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">invitation to Lord Grey and Lord Grenville to accept office, <a href="#Page_117"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his resentment of personal slights, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">intrigues and devices, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">dislike to Lord Grey, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his speech on the victory of Leipsic, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the restoration of the Bourbons, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his meeting with Louis XVIII., <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">unpopularity, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">dislike of the Emperor Alexander, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">accession, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">commendation of Napoleon’s letter, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">shot at, <a href="#Page_250">250-2</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his wish to divorce his wife, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">treatment of her, <a href="#Page_276">276-9</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his tutor, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his views on the Roman Catholic Question, <a href="#Page_396">396-9</a>.</li> + <li class="isub1"><i>See</i> <a href="#George_IV">George IV.</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Waller, Edmund, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Walpole, Horace, <a href="#Page_308">308-10</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wardle, Colonel, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Warton, Thomas, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Waterloo, battle of, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wellesley, Richard Colley, Marquess of, Foreign Secretary, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Ambassador to Spain, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">resigns, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">policy, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and Wellington, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">style of his speeches, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his letters on the new Ministry, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">negotiations with Lord Grey and Lord Grenville, <a href="#Page_137">137-41</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, <a href="#Page_142"><i>142</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the Prince Regent’s views on the Roman Catholic Question, <a href="#Page_396">396-9</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wellington, Duke of, in command of the forces in Portugal, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">forms the lines of Torres Vedras, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">objections to his appointment, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Talavera, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his policy in Spain, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">captures Ciudad Rodrigo, <a href="#Page_68"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">and Wellesley, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his victory at Salamanca, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">appointed Commander-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">British Ambassador in Paris, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Vittoria, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">enters France, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">attack on Burgos, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the restoration of the Bourbons, <a href="#Page_190"><i>190</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character of his operations, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Toulouse, <a href="#Page_193"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">advice to Louis XVIII., <a href="#Page_213">213</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">Royalists’ treatment of, <a href="#Page_213"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">endeavour to restrain the Allies, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">abuse of Frenchmen, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">censures the appointment of Sir H. Lowe, <a href="#Page_218"><i>ibid.</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">capitulation of Paris, <a href="#Page_222">222-8</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">character, <a href="#Page_229">229-32</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">harshness to inferiors, and vanity, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on public meetings, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wenman, Dr. Thomas Francis, Professor of Civil Law, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Westmacott, Richard, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Westmorland, John, tenth Earl of, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the amendment of the Marriage Act, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wharton, Duke of, his repartee to William IV., <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Whig Party, policy of the, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Whishaw, Richard, a founder of the King of Clubs, <a href="#Page_332"><i>332</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Whitbread, Samuel, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the union of the auditorship and the Treasury, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">chief director of Drury Lane Theatre, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his <i>Address</i>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the charges against the Princess of Wales, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">in support of the war, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his character and death, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> + +<li class="indx">White, Dr. Joseph, Laudian Professor of Arabic, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his Bampton Lectures, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wickham, William, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wilberforce, William, and Abolition of the Slave Trade, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">contributions to <i>The Edinburgh Review</i>, <a href="#Page_387">387</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wilbraham, Roger, <a href="#Page_378">378</a></li> + +<li class="indx">William IV., <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Williams, Sir Charles Hanbury, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wilson, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_224"><i>224</i></a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his “Lusitanian Legion,” <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">attached to the Russian army, <a href="#Page_167"><i>167</i></a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">at the battle of Leipsic, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">protest against the appearance of the Queen at the Coronation, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Windham, Mr., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the duel between Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his support of the privileges of Parliament, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_420">[420]</span>death, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">religious views, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Woburn Abbey, Temple of Liberty at, <a href="#Page_353"><i>353</i></a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wollstonecraft, Mary, her marriage and death, <a href="#Page_382">382</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wood, Sir Matthew, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wooddeson, Richard, Vinerian Professor, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wordsworth, William, <a href="#Page_383">383</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wortley, Stuart, Mr. A. (afterwards Lord Wharncliffe), his motion to form a new Administration, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wynn, Charles Watkin Williams, <a href="#Page_118"><i>118</i></a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a></li> + +<li class="ifrst">Yarmouth, Francis Charles, Earl of, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> + +<li class="indx">York, Duchess of, <a href="#Page_199"><i>199</i></a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx">——, Duke of, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_199"><i>199</i></a>, <a href="#Page_201"><i>201</i></a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">charge against, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">resigns his office of Commander-in-Chief, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">question of his reinstatement, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">letter from the Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">on the invitation to Lord Grey and Lord Grenville to form an Administration, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">his tutor, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Yorke, Rt. Hon. Charles Philip, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;</li> + <li class="isub1">accepts the Admiralty, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +</ul> +</nav> + +<p class="titlepage"><i>Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London +and Aylesbury.</i></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp47" id="cover-deco" style="max-width: 18.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/cover-deco.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> + +</main> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78891 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/78891-h/images/cover-deco.jpg b/78891-h/images/cover-deco.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..aeb9dfb --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/cover-deco.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/cover.jpg b/78891-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a9fc31 --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/illus1.jpg b/78891-h/images/illus1.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b5df6f --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/illus1.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/illus2.jpg b/78891-h/images/illus2.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d18bb70 --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/illus2.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/illus3.jpg b/78891-h/images/illus3.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ce890fa --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/illus3.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/illus4.jpg b/78891-h/images/illus4.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6af7225 --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/illus4.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/illus5.jpg b/78891-h/images/illus5.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cfcaa49 --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/illus5.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/illus6.jpg b/78891-h/images/illus6.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c464966 --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/illus6.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/illus7.jpg b/78891-h/images/illus7.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bcf5c23 --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/illus7.jpg diff --git a/78891-h/images/illus8.jpg b/78891-h/images/illus8.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d2c1634 --- /dev/null +++ b/78891-h/images/illus8.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c72794 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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